Archives for March 2010

HTC Desire Black Edition Confirmed to hit Orange in the UK

Orange, the UK mobile phone network, have confirmed that a special version of the HTC Desire will launch on their network towards the end of April. The new version is the Black Edition of the new HTC Desire phone.

It seems that Orange are snapping up a few exclusives recently with them also recently grabbing the exclusive of the White Sony Ericsson X10

From what we understand there are no hardware differences in terms of the main specifications of the phone, and the only difference is that it’s black instead. The phone it’s self runs a 1GHz Qualcomm SnapDragon processor, has a 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen and has a 5 megapixel camera. [Read more…]

TomTom Announced Lifetime Map and Traffic Updates in the US

TomTom have announced that a number of their products will now come with lifetime map updates as well as traffic updates. This will allow users of TomTom devices to always have up to date maps and coverage in North America.

The service will cost no extra for customers who will be able to take advantage of the updates for the lifetime of the device.

‘The nation’s roads are changing every day, so TomTom is proud to offer Lifetime Map Updates on our portable navigation devices, said Tom Murray, vice president of market development for TomTom Inc. ‘This feature, in conjunction with TomTom’s Lifetime Traffic Updates, offers our customers the assurance that they will always have the industry’s most accurate maps and the real-time traffic information they need for hassle-free navigation.

[Read more…]

Nokia N8 Confirmed in XML File

An XML file was found on the Nokia site that confirmed the existence of the Nokia N8 smartphone.

The N8 comes from the N-Series of mobile phones and due to the high single digit number, also confirms it will be quite an advanced device. From what we understand it will have a 12 megapixel camera on the back and it will run the Symbian^3 operating system.

The screen is estimated at being around 3.5 inches when seen in leaked pictures and it will have a resolution of 360 x 640 pixels from what we hear. The screen is also supposed to have a 24-bits per pixel setup allowing it to display 16 million colours. [Read more…]

Apple iPad Guided Tours Launched

Apple [AAPL] have opened up a new section on the Apple website called Guided Tours that basically goes through the various functions of the iPad in detail on video.

The video covers the following sections of the iPad… Safari, Mail, Photos, Videos, YouTube, iPod, iTunes, iBooks, Keynote, Pages and Numbers.

Each video lasts a few minutes and gives a full tutorial on how the iPad applications work and samples of what can be achieved.

Interesting applications toured include Keynote that allows you to create presentations on the go as well as demonstrating a device that allows the iPad to be connected to a HDTV or projector. The Pages application brings a word processor to the iPad and Numbers brings a spreadsheet app to the iPad. [Read more…]

Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit Ready for Pre-Order

Apple [AAPL] in the US now have the iPad Camera Connection Kit available for pre-order on their website with a price tag of $29. In that price you get a couple of iPad camera connection devices.

The first connector (30 pin of course) features a USB port allowing you to connect up either your digital camera or iPhone direct to the iPad. When connected an application automatically loads up displaying thumbs of images that are available on the camera or iPhone to download. You can then select what you want to copy over. Images are then synced with your PC or Mac is required.

The next connector is almost the same but instead of connecting the camera direct to the iPad it features an SD card slot allowing images to be read directly from the memory card containing pictures. The same app (Photos) is opened up and the same interface. [Read more…]

Apple iPhone 4G Screen Unboxed on Video

The Apple iPhone 4G is just around the corner if rumours are to be believed (and if Apple [AAPL] follow their trend of releasing one phone per year). The latest video we came across just today shows what looks to be a 4th gen iPhone screen being unboxed.

The unboxing shows the screen (as in the whole front panel) and the screen it’s self encased on to the front panel. Clips are seen down the edges that appears to be in slightly different locations to previous models and a small circular cut out can be found right next to the speaker at the top for what we assume a front facing camera will be mounted.

Other noticeable changes include the front panel being slightly longer than the 3G S front panel although overall the front also looks to be slightly thinner in width. [Read more…]

Android Catching up to iPhone on Mobile Web Browsing

Back in August 2009 the Apple [AAPL] iPhone web browser was streets ahead in terms of how many people used it to browse the internet. Just after that Google [GOOG] made a big push on Android by launching a number of high end phones and gradually Android has almost caught up in terms of how many people surf the web using it.

In August 2009 the iPhone OS was responsible for about 50% of all mobile traffic and just a few months before that around May 2009 it peaked at 70% market share. Windows Mobile and RIM have been on the decline all of last year and webOS that joined us in June last year started off relatively well, but is also declining too.

It’s certainly interesting to see how Google have made an impact on those figures especially with how well the iPhone has done since it’s first launch in 2007. [Read more…]

Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Ready for Pre-order on Vodafone

Vodafone [VOD] have uploaded the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Android phone and made it available for pre-order on their site.

Vodafone has set a delivery date of April 6 which is next Tuesday. The phone it’s self is an Android 1.6 based mobile phone and it happens to be the first that comes from Sony Ericsson. On the back is an 8 megapixel camera and the phone is packed with all the usual stuff we see on smartphones these days including GPS, WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth etc…

It has a large 4 inch capacitive touchscreen that’s not quite the 4.3 inches of the HTC HD2, although still classed as being a large screen. [Read more…]

Apple iPad Confirmed to Launch at 9am at Apple and Best Buy Stores

Apple [AAPL] have officially announced where the Apple iPad will be available to buy this weekend and at what time. Sales start in ALL US Apple Stores (211 of them) at 9am and a number of Best Buy stores also at 9am.

‘iPad connects users with their apps and content in a far more intimate and fun way than ever before, said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. ‘We can’t wait for users to get their hands and fingers on it this weekend.

When purchasing the Apple iPad in store the staff will provide a personal setup service that will allow them to download their applications and set up email etc… right in the store. Also iPad workshops are being set up to help users learn about the “magical new product”. [Read more…]

iPhone App to Diagnose Illness through Sound

If you hate taking a trip to see the Doctor then perhaps a new iPhone app is for you. The application has been designed to diagnose respiratory disease by listening to you coughing in to the iPhone mic. However, the application hasn’t been released yet as it is currently being developed.

Once the application is launched all you will need to do is cough in to the microphone on your Apple iPhone whereby the computer records the cough and compares it to a database of other coughs. Due to there being different types of coughs, the system is capable of telling you if you need help or not….

Doctors generally classify coughs as wet or dry, with a subcategory of productive or nonproductive, a reference to the presence or production of mucous in the lungs. Most health care professionals can distinguish between the two kinds, and each kind gives subtle hints about whether a person has a bacterial or viral infection. Scientists think there is much more information hidden in coughs though, and are trying to tease out that information by analyzing specific sounds inside coughs.

[Read more…]

Sony Alpha A200 Taken Apart

After receiving a slightly beat up, but unrepairable Sony Alpha A200 digital SLR camera, one guy decided he might as well just take the whole thing apart to see what was inside and how it all worked.

Amongst various circuit boards and small ribbon style cables attaching all the various aspects of the camera together, a few interesting things were found such as a sensor (or card) seems to move around for auto stabilising shots.

To see the full tear down with a number of comments about what is where, check out English Russia who have all the shots captured and detailed somewhat. [Read more…]

Verizon Nexus One Briefly Appears at Google.com/Phone

Back in February a Google [GOOG] worker had commented that the Nexus One would be going to Verizon on March 23… that didn’t happen.

After a bit more waiting it appears that Google updated their google.com/phone website temporarily to include the Nexus One on the Verizon network with a price tag of $199 along with a two year contract. The information has been removed now although it has lead a number of people to believe that the launch might not be too far away now. [Read more…]