HTC Magic
The second device launched by the joint-venture HTC and Google – HTC Magic aka G2, suggests that the new Android-branded phones have great potential on the smartphone market. Updated to the latest firmware version, including Cupcake 1.5, HTC Magic is now shadowed by its new brother, HTC Hero, which features the new Sense GUI developed by the Taiwanese manufacturer. Still, Magic owners will be happy to find that HTC officially announced that they would be able to update their devices with the new Sense GUI, if their Magic smartphones were unlocked. Yes, those that got their devices from network carriers like T-Mobile or Vodafone will not be able to take advantage of the new GUI offered by HTC.
Announced in February 2009, HTC Magic hit the shelves three months later, in May 2009. The device is available in two classical colors: black and white. HTC Magic can be bought for around 450 USD, but that depends on location and plan. I suggest buying the unlocked version, so you can get the new graphical user interface that has been included with the Hero model. Read more
Nokia N97
The long waiting time is over and we can finally say something about the so much acclaimed N97 smartphone – the iPhone’s main rival suggested by Nokia. At first glance, besides the innovative design, the new top of the line touchscreen smartphone manufactured by the Finnish giant has been gifted with almost the same features as the older Nokia 5800 XpressMusic handset. That means it includes the same operating system, processor, HSDPA 3.6Mbps, Wi-Fi, built-in GPS receiver, and the list can go on. Still, the main things that differentiate the two handsets are the full QWERTY keyboard of N97 and the bigger touchscreen. If Nokia 5800 XpressMusic was released as the first Nokia smartphone to feature a touchscreen and an updated Symbian operating system that could go with it, the N97 should have been a piece of art from this point of view.
There were lots of bugs present in 5800’s platform and the OS seemed rather rudimentary, but Nokia managed to solve most of them by a wide sequence of firmware updates. Still, the graphical interface, as well as the basic control of the menus remained the same. This shouldn’t be that bad, but when you intend to compete with one of the most successful smartphones on the market, the iPhone, you must provide something that has at least equal value. Either Nokia managed to do that with the N97 or not, we will see in the following review, so read and judge for yourselves. Read more
Motorola Man’s Phone
The thing with iPhones, for all their cleverness and shiny looks is that, well, someone had to say it, they’re a bit girly… What us blokes need is a real man’s phone, at least that’s what the guys at Motorola reckon, and lo and behold, they’ve come up with the hunky, chunky r75651S.
It’s a no-nonsense multi-modal mobile communications device, designed for mission-critical operatives who need a phone that’s rugged and durable. It’s designed to work in high-noise, hazardous, chemical or gaseous environments. It’s military spec, resistant to high and low temperatures, dust, shock, vibration, radiation, salt, fog and blowing rain, it says here. It’s a rough and tough, it ‘ll watch your back in a tight situation, buy you a drink down the pub and kick sand in the face of smartphones, just don’t get it angry!
Google To Challenge Windows and Mac
Rumours that Google are working on a desktop operating system, to rival Windows and the Mac OS have been floating around the web for a while and they’ve generally been dismissed but now it’s official. Google Chrome OS is due to hit the streets some time in the second half of 2010. Whether or not the good folk at Microsoft and Apple will be quaking in their boots remains to be seen but on past experience Google certainly has the clout to make it happen and the Android OS for smart phones is already starting to have an impact.
Chrome OS is designed to run on standard x86 PC hardware, as well as ARM chips and the ever popular Intel Atom used in the majority of netbooks. It’s going to be based on a Linux kernel and according to Sundar Picha, the Google Engineering director who broke the news on his blog, key user-inspired features will include near-instant startup and email download Read more
iPhone OS 3.0 Officially Released
After a painfully long wait, Apple has finally released the much-hyped iPhone 3.0 Software Update, delivering improved functionality and tons of new features to iPhone and iPod touch users worldwide. Two days from now, the iPhone 3G S will also be available to the public. The device will “unlock” the complete set of new features available with iPhone OS 3.0.
“The new iPhone OS 3.0 is a major software release packed with incredible new features and innovations for iPhone customers and developers alike. It will keep us years ahead of the competition,” said Philip Schiller (Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing) back in March, when the company previewed the first developer beta of iPhone OS 3.0. Read more
iPhone 3G S Features
Apple has officially announced the launch of its fastest and most powerful iPhone called iPhone 3G S.
It is almost same in the shape but it has some new features added including the the camera of the new iphone is upgraded to 3 megapixel with auto focus, Tap to focus, Video recording, VGA up to 30 fps with audio and lot more other features listed below
New Features Added with To iPhone 3G S
- 3MP camera with autofocus, auto exposure, automatic white balance, low light sensitivity, macro mode, photo and video geotagging
- 3.5-inch Multi-Touch display with 480 x 320 pixels resolution at 163 ppi Read more
Read Your Email on the Go
One of the most powerful email clients available for Symbian devices, ProfiMail, developed by Lonely Cat Games, allows you to read and send your email on the go, without the need of a Desktop PC. The email client is a complete communication solution for Symbian smartphones, which has been designed for businessmen who are using mostly the mail as a means of communication. The interface of the program is simple and offers easy control, as well as many functions that will really ease the work with the emails.
Besides being a standalone email client, ProfiMail works in synchronization with any mail servers, and can be used in conjunction with another email client (Outlook or other). When synchronized, ProfiMail shows the same list of messages as on the mail server. Read more
Nokia E63 Review
The Eseries from Nokia continues to spawn new devices on the handset market, this time a cheaper version, but with enough up-to-date features to have some success. The Nokia E63 smartphone competes with its more rich-featured brother E71. If you’re looking for a business phone and do not have the amount to acquire the top of the line E71, then the new Nokia E63 can easily take its place. While there are some design and feature differences between the two, the latter is definitely excellent value for money.
Announced in November 2008, Nokia E63 was made available on the market just in time for Christmas, in December 2008. The price of the smartphone is pretty cheap compared to what it can do – 250USD. The phone was launched in three colors: Ultramarine Blue, Ruby Red and Black. Read more
Nokia E71 smartphone review
Nokia’s E-range is aimed firmly at corporate users, with the E71 offering a full QWERTY keypad to make emailing easier, and loads of features that help to make it a great out of office tool.
Build quality is among the best that we’ve seen to date on a smartphone, with aluminium used on the front and rear to create an incredibly stylish yet robust finish. The most surprising aspect of this handset is just how thin it is, however, making it appear a lot smaller than it actually is.
It’s also narrower than rivals such as RIM’s Blackberry Bold, leading to a keyboard that may be too cramped for some users. Raised centres to the keys make it easy to get up a good typing rhythm, however, striking a good compromise between portability and usability. Read more
Altair Leaps on iPhone, iPod touch
Published by Gameloft under license from Ubisoft Entertainment, Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles is now available for iPhone and iPod touch users running Software Update 2.2.1. The publishers tout the title as being recommended for fans of action, adventure, and historical games.
Connoisseurs (console players) needn’t any updates as far as the game’s plot goes, but iPhone and iPod touch owners might be interested in knowing that Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles takes place in Jerusalem, 1191 AD – the time when the Third Crusade between the Crusaders and Saracens was tearing the Holy Land apart. Read more
