Microsoft is working on a new version, perhaps update, for the Windows Phone platform. The new update could arrive this year and when it does, it will bring a mobile payment technology to the smartphone. However, current smartphones are more than likely not compatible with the new service which means it will be available on new hardware only.

The system follows on from what Google is doing with Android 2.3 Gingerbread where smartphones embedded with NFC (near field communications), can be used as mobile wallets. Microsoft will include the necessary code in Windows Phone so that manufacturers can add NFC to their smartphones and in turn, allow end users to make payments by waving their phone over a sensor. [Read more…]

When Samsung launches the Galaxy S2, it’ll come with the new TouchWiz 4.0 UI. We normally cringe a little when we hear smartphones are getting an alternative to vanilla overlay. This time around, it could change a little though as the new TouchWiz actually looks quite useful.

What we see in a video, created by Android Community, are a few new features that make use of the sensors on the Galaxy S2.

The first of these features allows you to hold down on the screen and when you move the device towards or away from you, the webpage zooms in and out. [Read more…]

It is now possible to update your DROID X or 2 to Android 2.3 Gingerbread, thanks to the guys over at MyDroidWorld.

Each of the smartphones needs to be rooted prior to installing the updates and once installed, the Gingerbread update cannot actually be rooted yet although the team is working on that. We also hear that it’s easy enough to jump back to a stock install in case things don’t go as well as planned, or if you run in to too many problems. [Read more…]

We just mentioned that WWDC2011 will be happening in June. What we now hear is that iOS 5 could well be revealed at the conference although it might actually be not pushed out till September this year.

Some recent patents hint that Apple is working on making elements of the UI more graphical. What this means is that contacts could change from the plan scrolling text list to thumbnails of the people you want to call. The same could be said for music lists and other lists within the UI. [Read more…]

After believing that the Sony Ericsson X10 had been put away in terms of getting no more Android updates, we now hear, or surprisingly hear I should say, that the device will soon be getting Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Before we continue, note that this it the X10 only and not the other variations of the X10.

Back to the Android 2.3 update for the X10, we were told months ago that there would be no more updates beyond Eclair for this series of smartphones, but for various reasons, all covered here, we hear that SE has changed its mind and will be pushing the new update out either late Q2 or early Q3 this year. [Read more…]

Yesterday, Microsoft started rolling out the latest Windows Phone 7 update… the one that brings copy/paste to the relatively new smartphone platform. The problem is, is that not all people are receiving the update just yet. Yesterday we heard that those unlocked devices, ie, not sold from a carrier, are getting the updates right now. But, those buying through a carrier such as Orange in the UK were told they had to wait longer.

The “Where’s my phone update?” website has been launched so that users can know within 10 days or so, when the next WP7 update will be launching on their new smartphone…

We periodically release software updates that add new features to your phone or improve its performance. When an update is available, a message appears on your phone letting you know. But we understand that it’s hard to wait, and that many of you want a better sense of when to expect your update.

[Read more…]

HTC has announced the HTC EVO 3D. The new EVO uses a glasses-free 3D effect to make images pop out of the screen. The 3D screen measures 4.3 inches and is in a QHD resolution of 540 x 960 pixels. It also uses capacitive touch.

The new smartphone uses a 1.2GHz dual-core processor. It has 1GB of internal storage and 1GB of RAM. The storage can be increased by microSD. The device has three cameras with a smaller front facing camera that can capture at 1.3 megapixels and two 5 megapixel cameras on the back. When capturing in 3D it captures at 2 megapixels, while in 2D it can capture at 5 megapixels. [Read more…]

Thanks to gagadget, a prototype of the Galaxy S II has been pictured as well as captured on video (see embed below).

The device is believed to be a pre-production model which is close to the final version when it arrives. The two videos show the hardware and software running on the device, and from what we see and hear, it scores very well in the mini review. [Read more…]

Microsoft has begun to distribute its first Windows Phone 7 update. It’s actually the second update technically, although the first was pushed out to prepare the device to get further updates.

The new update brings several new features to smartphones which includes copy and paste, faster start and resume time for apps, improved category search in the Marketplace as well as various other performance increases.

The update is numbered 7300 and began rolling out yesterday to WP7 smartphone users. [Read more…]

Amazon has launched its Appstore today and with that launch, it’s giving away a free download of the new Angry Birds Rio game. At the moment, Amazon has launched the app store in the US only and it isn’t known just yet when it will hit the UK and other countries.

With the launch of the appstore, Amazon is also giving away a paid app each day for free. [Read more…]

Google and Sprint is partnering up to bring a seamless integration of Google Voice to Sprint users. The new service will allow Sprint users to use Google Voice features without porting their number over, or changing their number.

What this allows users to do is take advantage of all the features that GV offers, such as low cost international calls, one number for many devices as well as transcribed voice mail. When someone calls a sprint number, the office phone, home phone and Gmail account. You can fully configure this so that depending on the time of day, you can set a different phone to ring. [Read more…]

We hear today that Amazon could be launching the Android App Store as early as tomorrow. Last week, we saw a brief glimpse of what it might look like, which we assumed was in preparation for an upcoming launch.

The Amazon App store was first mentioned in September last year and was described as being Amazon’s take on the app store. What that means is that apps will be curated by Amazon reviewers, and if apps pass the test, they are allowed in the store.

[Read more…]