Archives for June 2010

Microsoft [MSFT] recently spoke at an advertisers event. The video shows that the presentation was mainly about advertising on Windows Phone 7 devices and how it will all work. Features such as being able to link direct to the Windows Market Place so advertisers can send people direct to the application in the store.

An interesting bit of information that was mentioned was a release date. Mich Mathews (the Microsoft VP for marketing) comments later on in the video that the Windows Phone 7 release date will be October. This isn’t the first time we have seen this date and in fact, a badly put together poster just last week also revealed October was the release month for Windows Phone 7. [Read more…]

Motorola a few days ago announced the Motorola DROID X. The DROID X has a 4.3 inch widescreen display, runs a 1GHz processor and is Flash 10.1 ready.

Features on the DROID X include a 1GHz processor and 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities as well as “loads of memory” as Motorola word it.

The Motorola DROID X will run Adobe Flash Player 10.1 when launched which for some will give it the edge on the iPhone 4. [Read more…]

Yesterday we managed to get hold of an iPhone 4 to test and see what it’s like compared to other phones such as Android devices as well as a comparison versus the older iPhone 3GS.

Apple [AAPL] has finally changed the design of the iPhone with the new iPhone 4. Previously the iPhone original, 3G and 3GS only had slight cosmetic changes. The iPhone 4 has a complete redesign and I happen to quite like it.

It’s completely flat on the back unlike previous models. The back is covered in hardened glass and has a transparent bit of glass where the 5 megapixel lens and the flash can be found (note the improved camera and the addition of a flash… more on this later in the iPhone 4 review that we will be posting soon). [Read more…]

Quite a few people are posting on the internet that they are having problems with holding their iPhone 4 and losing signal. I have experienced this too and it isn’t just something that happens occasionally, it actually happens each and every time I hold my iPhone 4.

The problem essentially is to do with the part of the antenna around the black bar on the bottom left of the phone. If your hand bridges that gap between the two antennas then the signal just dies. For me, I bridge that gap each time I use email, send a text message and browse on the web… basically every time I use the phone for anything other than making calls. When making calls it doesn’t effect me just because I grip the two edges of the phone and not the area around the black bar. [Read more…]

Apple [AAPL] launched the iPhone 4 today. Along with that launch the iMovie app for the smartphone was also launched. The iMovie app is for iPhone 4 only and costs $4.99 to buy.

The app allows you to create HD movies and edit them whilst on the move. A number of transitions have been included allowing you to create effects between two videos or between two segments on a video.

Made for Multi-Touch.

* Tap to add or record video right into your project.
* Drag to trim the lengths of video clips and photos.
* Pinch to zoom the timeline and get a closer look.
* Slide to scrub through the video in your project.

[Read more…]

BGR is reporting that the HTC EVO 4G is due to get a minor update next week that will fix a few issues. The first fix is for WiFi where improvements will be made. At this point we assume to reliability and connection speeds.

The update will also provide a fix for Exchange Active Sync where the service will be improved. Here we assume it will also work quicker. Exchange Server 2010 Calendar Sync will also be included along with PIN policy usage.

Finally an issue with a social networking sync issue with Facebook will be fixed which should help battery life on the device. [Read more…]

Swype is an alternate text entry system for mobile phones. The system works by you sliding your finger across a virtual keyboard to spell words. The company claim it is far quicker to do text entry with Swype than it is with a standard virtual keyboard.

We now hear that the company expect to see Swype on 50 smartphones by the end of 2010 with about 90% of those being powered by the Google [GOOG] operating system called Android.

Earlier reports today indicated that Swype was on it’s way to the Apple [AAPL] iPhone although this isn’t happening just yet and it isn’t clear if Apple would approve such software as it replaces one of the main features of the device. [Read more…]

Since the deliveries of the iPhone 4 started a couple of days ago, a few people have been reporting problems with a yellow band or yellow spots on their screen.

We now hear that these yellow spots are actually fading with time. It appears that it takes a day or two for the spots to go and from what we understand, it is just the bonding agent that needs to dry fully. The reason the glue isn’t 100% dry is due to how fast Apple [AAPL] are having the iPhone 4’s manufactured.

Apple is using a bonding agent called Organofunctional Silane Z-6011 to bond the layers of glass. Apparently, Apple (or more likely Foxconn) is shipping these products so quickly that the evaporation process is not complete. However, after one or two days of use, especially with the screen on, will complete the evaporation process and the yellow “blotches” will disappear. How do I know? I was involved in pitching Z-6011 to Apple.

[Read more…]