smartphone
LG InTouch Max (GW620) Review
March 6, 2010
The LG InTouch Max (GW620) is LG’s first attempt at an Android smartphone. Serving the budget end of the market, the GW620 is available from free on a £20 a month contract with T-Mobile in the UK. This is the same headset that Zath got to have a hands-on test with a few months ago when we attended the LG Mobile Event (November 2009), we liked the look of it and wrote up our own LG GW620 (Android) preview about the handset, so be sure to take a look at that first – it would appear our hope for a better name has in fact happened with LG playing up the social networking possibilities of this handset by calling it the LG InTouch Max!
Hardware
The LG InTouch Max (GW620) is the first Android device I’ve used with a hardware keyboard, which naturally makes the device thicker than others available on the market, although it doesn’t feel unnatural when holding it without the keyboard slid out. On the front of the device there are 2 soft touch buttons for home and back, and a physical button in the centre, allowing you to access settings of each app open.
Continue reading »iPhone Docking Station Keyboard – A Pointless Smartphone Stand?
March 2, 2010
We have all seen our fair share of useless gadgets which when looking at them makes us think ‘who on earth thought of that’. Stupidity lies in the eye of the beholder, or now, it seems, the creator. Matias, who is fairly well known for their electrical goods accessories, has seen fit to create an iPhone 3GS / iPod Touch dock which does pretty much nothing.
Perhaps the greatest part of this complete mis-concept is the fact that this ‘iPhone dock’, which looks (well is) just a standard keyboard with a blank space next to the the numerical keypad, does nothing to increase the devices functionality in any way.
Continue reading »The Puma Phone – A Sporty Mobile Phone?
February 17, 2010
Yet another interesting and innovative device has been thrown up at this year’s MWC. The much anticipated PUMA phone is now upon us and it certainly adds something new and unique to the line up of great mobile devices already announced at the event in Barcelona.
PUMA AG and Sagem Wireless have unveiled a mobile device which not only looks great, but contains some incredible technology that they hope will enhance the world of mobile devices in years to come. This is for one simple reason, although packed with great features, this sleek and compact device contains an integrated solar cell along with a charge indicator. This means that your device will charge whilst on the go, no need to leave it at home or take your bulky charger along with you.
Continue reading »Sony Ericsson Experia X10 Mini, X10 Pro and Vivaz Pro Announced
February 16, 2010
This year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) has certainly thrown up some interesting stuff. Not a lot more so though, than the three latest instalments from the guys over at Sony Ericsson. The X10 Mini and Pro edtions as well as the Vivaz Pro.
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini/Pro
The Xperia X10 from Sony Ericsson got a lot of people talking, so these compact editions are sure to do the same. They promise to deliver powerful devices, packed with apps which offer a great alternative for those who don’t wish to be lugging what used to be known as ‘bricks’ around with them.
Continue reading »New HTC Mobile Phones Announced (Desire, Legend & HD Mini)
February 16, 2010
At their press conference at the MWC event today, the mobile phone manufacturer; HTC made some major announcements as both Android and Windows Mobile devices were shown off to those in the audience.
Two Android phones were announced, both running Android 2.1 and a brand new version of HTC’s Sense UI.
Continue reading »Google Nexus One Review (UK)
February 15, 2010
Google’s new ‘superphone’, the Nexus One, has been the topic of many conversations since its release a day before CES began in January. Released subsidised in the US, and also available unlocked to the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong from Google directly, it comes packed with a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 512MB RAM and a 5MP camera (more on that later on).
Shipping and Initial Setup
The cost of the phone from Google is $529, although you’ll also have to consider international shipping costs of $29.65. DHL’s tracking service was great to have when biting my nails to see where my phone was, although it took an extra day to arrive after landing in the UK due to a shipping mix up – it was destined for Gatwick instead of Manchester, but I was just grateful that my Nexus One didn’t end up in Uganda…
Continue reading »Sony Ericsson Aspen Launched – A Green Windows Mobile!
February 6, 2010
Sony Ericsson really seem to be releasing a lot of new handsets just recently, for instance the SE Satio, SE Vivaz and now with the Sony Ericsson Aspen.
Whilst the green revolution continues to trickle its way through the tech world it has been a while since we’ve covered a product that aims to be at the top of the field in functionality and style, but still remain environmentally sound at its core so it’s a nice change to see the release of the Sony Ericsson Aspen, which aims to do just that!
Ignoring the green aspects for a moment and you’ll see that the Aspen is a QWERTY smartphone which also incorporates the ease of a touchscreen and which comes with all the functionality you’d expect from a ‘high end’ phone including the latest version of Windows Mobile.
Continue reading »The Apple iSlate: Wow!!!…
February 1, 2010
I’m almost certain he did this at some point, but I can’t find it. Ah well, never mind..
So then, let’s get down to stating the bleeding obvious about the Apple iPad…
Where’s the kick-stand? – Tablets are unwieldy, and it’s a pain to hold it through a 2 hour movie. I suppose you could scratch the back up by resting it against something, but good luck with that rounded back.
Wot, No Flash? – According to Apple, some websites aren’t accessible through the iPad, because the browser you’re forced to use doesn’t support it. Well, clearly the iPad belongs in 1996, when that wouldn’t have been such a massive, debilitating and inexcusable deficiency. Honestly, I’m lost for words on this one. I mean, I’d be better-off with my PSP(!)
Continue reading »iPhone 3GS Review
January 13, 2010
Everyone’s seen an iPhone, and most people want one, but can you tell the difference between an iPhone 3G and an iPhone 3GS? The answer is most certainly no; they look identical to each other and are no different to the naked eye. Once you’ve used an iPhone 3GS, however, you’ll realise just how different it is.
It’s been around 6 months since the iPhone 3GS was released and at the time many people thought that it was somewhat of a low-key upgrade from the iPhone 3G, certainly it was more of an evolution than a revolution, especially when you consider what some of the 3rd generation iPhone rumours that had been going around prior to Apple’s announcement in which they introduced us to the iPhone 3GS.
So what can be added to our previous review of the iPhone 3G? Well here’s the key improvements that we’ve come to appreciate in using the iPhone 3GS, especially if you now go back to using an iPhone 3G – these differences are then immediately obvious!
Continue reading »Nexus One – Google Phone Announced!
January 5, 2010
Google held a press conference today in Mountain View, California at 10AM PST (6PM British Time) to announce their very own Android Smartphone: the Nexus One, which was developed “in very close partnership with HTC”. Erick Tseng, Senior Product Manager, went as far to say that the Nexus One “belongs in a new category of devices we call Superphones”. Owning a Superphone may sound impressive, but does it live up to all the hype we’ve seen over the past few weeks about Google’s Nexus One mobile phone?
As previously reported, the announcement confirmed that the Google Phone, the Nexus One comes packed with a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile Processor and 512MB RAM and ROM to match. Also packed in to the sleek design is a 3.7” AMOLED capacitive touchscreen (480×800), a MicroSD slot which is expandable to 32GB, not forgetting the trackball, which also acts as a multi-colour notification LED.
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