7/27/2016

LG Optimus 2X finally announced

The LG Optimus 2X has finally been announced by the Korean company, and has been confirmed for a UK release.
Offering up a dual core 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor (the first phone to be released with such tech inside) the Android 2.2-toting monster is also packing a 4-inch WVGA screen.
Another first for the phone is the inclusion of 1080p video recording – previously handsets could only handle 720p capture, but presumably the upgraded processor has made it easier for the Optimus 2X to handle the procedure without bringing the phone to a grinding halt.
Mirror, mirror, on the phone
Other specs include HDMI mirroring (where you can repeat your phone display on a larger screen) and DLNA compatibility, so the Optimus 2X can interact with other connected devices, either streaming to or from the phone.
A front facing camera is included as Google’s Android push to match the iPhone 4’s FaceTime service gathers pace, as well as 8GB of onboard memory (with a microSD card slot – screw you, Nexus S).
A 1500mAh battery and an 8MP camera with a single LED flash on the back round out the spec list.
We’re still yet to get a UK release date, but it should land in Q1 2011 after the Korean launch. It’s rocking Android 2.2 still, but the 2.3 Gingerbread update will be coming soon, with the update schedule to be announced shortly.
The LG Optimus 2X is the latest to hit pre-order on Play.com, with UK pricing of £469.99.
That figure exactly the same as that of a Swedish retailer which popped the LG Optimus 2X up for pre-order just before Christmas, which means the Brits aren’t losing out in the exchange rate cross-over, for a change.
The much-lusted-after Android handset is also listed with a UK release date of 18 March.
Dual-core
As the world’s first dual-core smartphone, the LG Optimus 2X is rocking an Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, promising full HD playback and supersonic speed operation.
The price puts it in the same bracket as the Google Nexus S, although there’s not yet any confirmation on whether the Optimus 2X will be running Android 2.3 like the Google-branded handset.
The March release date will also see the LG Optimus 2X competing against the promise of all the newly announced super-phones from Mobile World Congress 2011.
LG Optimus 2X owners may be stuck with malfunctioning handsets for the foreseeable future as LG struggles to fix a bug with the handset.
Despite intentions to offer a patch to fix the ‘black screen of death’ issue that sees handsets randomly freezing and rebooting, LG has admitted that it’s struggling to make the problem go away.
Although the company originally stated that it would have a software update to fix the problem by the end of May, the latest communiqué from LG posted on its Italian blog warns of a wait of “several weeks”.
No fix ’til Brooklyn
“We regret having to announce that the software version expected by the end of the month – in order to solve the instability problems alleged by some customers – has been postponed for several weeks,” says the company’s statement, translated by an XDA Developers forum member.
“Troubleshooting is taking longer than expected because of the systematic nature of the anomalies reported, involving only a part of owners of LG Dual Optimus [2X].
“However, we are aware of the hardships that some of you are [having] with our product.
“All resources are stretched to the limit of LG to release a best software [update] as soon as possible, but at present we have to move the deadline for issuing [to] the second half of June.

7/21/2016

Google promises Nexus S reboot bug fix soon

Google has got to the bottom of the Google Nexus S reboot issue and promised a fix in the near future.



The Nexus S has been a relative success in its first weeks of launch, but certain devices (including TechRadar’s own) have been hit with a random reboot problem, where the phone would shut down and restart of its own accord.

Our experience found that the music player was often the cause, but others experienced the same thing with calling, or just doing nothing at all.
Google’s acknowledgment of the problem has been sporadic, with the official forums seeing the issue ‘declined’ as a real problem on some threads.

Glad Ry Guy ain’t Shy

But Ry Guy from the Android team has now not only confirmed Google has found the issue, but has also come up with a fix:

“The initial results of our tests look very promising. At this rate we will most likely be rolling out an OTA to resolve this issue within one to two weeks.

“We really appreciate your patience as we do our final verifications on this fix before sending it out.”

So it seems that the bugs prowling around the coloured corridors of the Nexus S will be vanquished fiery lance of development steel – or something.

Google is set to dish the dirt on its plans to turn your Android smartphone into a digital wallet at a special event in New York on Thursday.

The company is expected to discuss how Android phones boasting the 2.3

Gingerbread operating will be able to pay for goods and services by swiping their phone on a reader device.

The NFC tech embedded in Android phones like the Google Nexus S will allow users to check-out, redeem coupons and earn loyalty points by flashing their phones at the checkout, according to reports.

Retail partners




Although Google has declined to comment at the time of writing, sources familiar with the matter say that the company has already lined-up a select few retail partners.

US stores Macy’s, Subway and American Eagle Outfitters are believed to be among the participating stores for an initial roll-out in New York and San Francisco.
The announcement is likely to see a new wave of NFC-enabled apps, which would assist Android owners in making payments.

We’ll be keeping our nose to the ground for more information on any announcement from Google throughout Thursday.

7/15/2016

Exclusive: Samsung explains Galaxy S2 spec change

Samsung has spoken to TechRadar to outline the reasons why it switched the specs of the Galaxy S2 so close to its UK launch.
The first big surprise was the improvement in processor power, from a 1GHz dual-core option to a 1.2GHz dual core Exynos CPU instead. Simon Stanford, the UK and Ireland MD for Samsung’s mobile division, said it was about showing leadership:
“That’s a case of showing our technical superiority, we should be doing that, we are hugely ambitious organisation, so if we’re going to launch something as great as the Galaxy S2, we’re going to launch it with the best technology packed in we possibly can.”

There at the start
“We can’t say our phones have got the latest hardware if it will be superseded quite soon, and this is just the start.
“We will always do that, that’s why we want to become synonymous with excellent hardware, the latest OS and great content side of things coming through.
“You can imagine where phone technology will go soon; it’s a very exciting future and I’ve seen some great things coming down.”
While Stanford wouldn’t give any more information on what that technology would look like, when asked if the curved screen from the Google Nexus S would be making a comeback he said;
“I would say we would certainly look at the positive feedback we’ve had from that phone.”
Needless NFC?
One of the biggest mysteries in terms of missing tech centres on the NFC technology Samsung touted in its Galaxy S2 at launch at MWC earlier this year.
It was missing from our Samsung Galaxy S2 review unit, and now Samsung has told TechRadar it will now be bringing out an NFC-enabled version.
Stanford didn’t give an explicit reason for the beepy-tech switcheroo, but did hint that Samsung was keen to get its market-leading device into the hands of consumers as soon as possible and rectify the issue later:
“I’m not 100% sure why [NFC] was taken out of this specific market model; a lot of it could be due to time to market and there may well be some iterations coming along.
“You have to remember that the UK was the first launch market outside Korea for the Galaxy S2, so I think that making sure elements like low weight and improved rigidity meant [removing NFC] was deemed necessary to get the perfect device out there, especially as the technology is still quite fledgling.”
We’re still waiting to see if the NFC-packing Samsung Galaxy S2 will cost any more than the original device, but if the contactless technology takes off in the next year there will be many disgruntled early adopters that find their phone doesn’t have all the market-leading technology Samsung is promising.

7/10/2016

BlackBerry Storm 3 The Gen Mobile Phone



Rumours of BlackBerry Storm sleeve 3 is being generous. It is adaptable to catch a buzz heart rate, as users of this rumor is a way to run the clock bar sealing technology absolutely wonderful and beautiful.


It is known that many BlackBerry phones, the phones have created a reputation of this company. Now mobile users can easily walk to all BlackBerry phones, which are able to buy.

It is therefore expected to buy all the BlackBerry always announced the initiative in the market.

Similarly, people are anxiously waiting for a completely new and versatile mobile phone BlackBerry Storm 3 This device is the most promising features for users, why not wait.

The main reasons for the boost raised about this gadget is wonderful luxury service that offers users the ability to use the latest technology.

The different features that make BlackBerry Storm3 has a wide range of network connectivity super GSM Quad-band HSDPA.

This accessory is the absolute central story of 8 GB which can be distributed in silence up to 32 GB with SD micro program.



In addition, stroke was 3.7 inches TFT-building in the shop will be able to demonstrate devotion accoutrement antenna. This accessory is actually a 5 megapixel camera, which makes the antenna resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels.

Also available as atrial fibrillation, the stabilization of an angel and a geocoding is the work of the administration of the current data rate with this versatile phone. When all these features, the BlackBerry Storm 3 cases, the rumor is committed to representing the entire network, to live in the UK.

All these networks then we will consider other offers and the ability of non-carriers with this phone. Therefore, the appeal of this device is true that the anonymous to place the antenna on the market.

Canadian mobile phone maker Research In Motion has only voiced which the BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone is set to have an coming upon the marketplace in Taiwan in early Dec around wireless carrier Taiwan Mobile.



Moreover, the handset businessman voiced which the new smartphone is already accessible for pre-order in the country, for all of those who would similar to to squeeze it when it would strike the shelves.

BlackBerry Torch is the initial shifting device from the Canadian maker, as well as additionally the initial to put together the touchscreen arrangement as well as the earthy QWERTY keyboard, not to discuss which it was the initial the single to run underneath the company’s latest BlackBerry 6 operating system.


“Combining superb hardware pattern as well as the latest BlackBerry 6 OS, the BlackBerry Torch is really the flagship BlackBerry smartphone as well as it will shortly be accessible by Taiwan Mobile,” pronounced Cliff Lai, Chief Operating Officer of Consumer Business Group, Taiwan Mobile.

“This latest smartphone firmly integrates the hold shade as well as BlackBerry set of keys capabilities, charity patron the code latest user experience.


“As RIM’s prolonged time conduit partner in Taiwan, you have been assured which the BlackBerry Torch will be the large strike with both consumers as well as professionals in the internal market.”

The smartphone offers await for 3G (UMTS/HSDPA) networks around the world, whilst make-up Wi-Fi (b/g/n) connectivity options, complemented by Bluetooth capabilities.



Moreover, the device comes with the 5-megapixel print limp upon the back, whilst make-up built-in GPS for location-based applications as well as geo-tagging capabilities.

The BlackBerry Torch should competition the cost tab of NT$19,990 when expelled in early Dec during Taiwan Mobile.

However, business who will chose Taiwan Mobile’s Myzone rate (NT$968) or BlackBerry 990 use devise (NT$990) will get the smartphone for free.

The initial 1,000 business to pre-order the BlackBerry Torch will additionally embrace accessories, the wireless conduit announced: the BlackBerry Leather Pocket, singular book battery door, shade guardian as well as BlackBerry Micro-USB Vehicle Power Adapter.

7/05/2016

BlackBerry Voice Activated Bluetooth Headset HS-700 Review

Don’t take orders from the bluetooth headset–you should be giving them orders! BlackBerry’s HS-700 Bluetooth headset is all about voice commands. Blackberry has not ruled out buttons altogether, though the HS-700 delivers the closest thing you can get to the loyal “hands-free” experience. When the call comes in, the tourist is voiced as great as you can contend ‘answer’ or ‘ignore’. Other commands similar to battery status, call, dial, fool around music, volume up/down, switch calls, mute, as great as redial can all be oral after dire the usually manifest symbol upon HS-700. There’s no need to fool around symbol Morse formula with the headset to grasp the elementary phone task. The HS-700 is really tidy as great as is the obviously the relations of the BlackBerry Bold, though the many appropriate underline of all is which this intensely means bluetooth headset functions for alternative phones as great as inclination too!


What’s in the Box


1x HS-700 Bluetooth Headset
1x Micro-USB sync cable
1x USB Power Adapter
2x Ear Hooks
5x Ear Caps (assorted sizes) Design
The HS-700 really has the BlackBerry demeanour to it. The face of the headset is black leather, many similar to the behind of the BlackBerry Bold. The sides have been crafted with the chrome finish, as great as the behind is glossy black cosmetic with the tiny engraved BlackBerry logo. There have been dual buttons, though the singular is hidden. The manifest symbol is the Voice Command button; it is chrome as great as located upon the side. It’s thin, long, raised, as great as easy to press. The dark symbol is the Call Control Key, as great as is built in to the tanned hide face, conflicting the speaker. You can strike by pulling the face of the HS-700 in to your ear. The device is incited upon as great as off by rotating the earpiece; this equates to no prolonged symbol presses to spin it upon or off. The charging pier is Micro-USB as great as it is located during the finish of the device upon the orator side. On the underside of the device is the tiny LED which can wink red, blue, or green, depending upon the sort of rapt or status. HS-700 has the tidy design. It’s distance is sincerely standard for the bluetooth headset. The enclosed Micro-USB wire is usually about the singular feet long.

Features

Voice commands is HS-700’s winning feature. It creates your headset many some-more hands-free as great as gives you entrance to usual phone functions though difficult symbol presses. Voice prompts is additionally the sincerely singular feature; the HS-700 has the womanlike voice with the lot to say. She will prompt you upon tie status, who you’re calling, who’s job you, tongue-tied status, battery status, as great as more. At any time you can ask the voice “what can you say” as great as she will review off the list of the accessible commands. When you initial spin your HS-700 on, the voice will beam you by the pairing process. Another singular underline is HS-700’s multimedia-capability — you can fool around song though delay from your phone, as great as jump over tracks, as great as regulate volume. This functions with phones which await A2DP. Volume carry out hardly ever needs to be practiced upon the earpiece itself, it has involuntary volume carry out which is practiced formed upon how shrill the sourroundings is. HS-700 has dual microphones as great as uses modernized noise-cancellation record to broach transparent conversations. The battery should final about 4.5 hours of verbalise time.

Ear Tips as great as Comfort



HS-700 comes with 5 earpieces, or “ear gels”, as great as dual ear hooks. The ear hooks come in dual sizes. There have been dual ear gels written for operate with the ear hooks. There have been 3 ear gels written to be used though hooks as great as they come in small, medium, as great as large. you found the ear hooks to yield the some-more secure fit, though the ear gels though the offshoot was similarly as comfortable. The ear gels don’t essentially lay inside of your ear canal. This equates to they don’t yield the undiluted sign with your ear, which is not indispensably great or bad–it comes down to personal preference. With the HS-700, you favourite which it wasn’t the undiluted seal, it’s some-more gentle for me as great as creates me feel some-more in balance with my vicinity when I’m not upon the call. you am means to wear HS-700 for the couple of hours during the time with no discomfort.

Performance

At first, you beheld the little immobile when you was regulating the headset, though afterwards satisfied which you listened the same immobile when regulating my phone earpiece. That being said, the headset doesn’t have your phone call receptive to advice any improved than it essentially is. As prolonged as my operate was good, the HS-700 call peculiarity sounded great. My callers sounded shrill as great as clear. The orator upon HS-700 is shrill sufficient which you kept my phone volume during 50%. The involuntary volume carry out functions great, you frequency had to regulate the volume. My callers upon the alternative finish regularly reported which you sounded clear, either pushing in my automobile or upon foot the city street. They couldn’t even discuss it which you was regulating the bluetooth headset.

Most people don’t transport as great distant from their phone when they’re regulating the wireless headset, though the operation is flattering decent. BlackBerry says the bluetooth operation is 10 meters; you found which you can go to an diagonally opposite room in your home or bureau with minimal distortion, serve than the singular room as great as you will begin to attend to fuzz. One of my the a singular preferred facilities about the HS-700 wasn’t the voice commands, it’s the dedicated on/off switch. you regularly found it really frustrating land down the symbol as great as listening to attend to if the device is branch off or branch on. With HS-700 it’s easy–you stagger the ear square until you feel it click in to the On position. You’ll know which it’s upon since it will lay routinely in your ear, additionally it has the blinking LED. The device turns upon as great as pairs in only the couple of seconds, this is available if you’re reception the call as great as you need to spin HS-700 on. Playing music, as great as alternative audio, from my phone was the great feature, as great as really came in accessible for turn-by-turn navigation. The audio peculiarity for song was only okay, though this should not be the surprise. Voice commands is additionally the really tidy as great as available feature, though it can get frustrating during times.

 If alternative people have been articulate around you, the device can get confused. There was an example whilst you was pushing with the air wave during the assuage turn where HS-700 misunderstood my “Battery” authority to meant “Call Last”. To terminate the call you can only press the Call Control Key (hidden button). In quieter environments, the voice commands essentially functions surprisingly well. The “What Can you Say” authority comes in handy. It’s value observant you can get divided though carrying to operate voice commands, you can call your final contact, answer calls, finish calls, as great as tongue-tied calls with the buttons. You can additionally only have the calls from your phone as great as operate the headset to speak.

I was really happy which HS-700 worked ideally with my iPhone 4 too, each singular underline seemed to work together with multimedia carry out as great as playback. Pressing the Call Control Key brings up iPhone’s voice carry out menu permitting you to call the contact, dial the number, or fool around song by track, artist, or manuscript name.

Conclusion

The BlackBerry HS-700 is the grand seeking bluetooth headset with great receptive to advice peculiarity as great as the garland of singular features. Voice commands, voice prompts, as great as audio streaming supplement the lot of value to HS-700. Unlike many alternative bluetooth headsets out there, this is the singular of the closest things you have to the indeed “hands-free” headset. One of the many appropriate features, which isn’t marketed, is which it functions for phones alternative afterwards BlackBerrys. Every singular underline worked for iPhone, as great as you gamble it will work only as great upon Android phones. Streaming audio from your phone competence not be the many appropriate approach to attend to music, though it was the great underline for for turn-by-turn navigation as great as listening to audio books. The BlackBerry HS-700 retails for $129.99, though can be purchased upon Amazon.com for only underneath $80. $130 is positively upon the pricey side, though even for which cost it could be value it for visit bluetooth headset users. $80 creates the HS-700 the great buy for any one who wants an upon top of normal bluetooth headset with the little great features.

The Good: Works with alternative intelligent phones, Voice Commands, Voice Prompts, Dedicated On/Off switch, Audio Streaming from phone, Battery hold up is communicated in ‘minutes left’, Comfortable, Clear call peculiarity upon both ends.