A recently reported news bit about Windows Phone 7 has revealed a major flaw in the mobile platform: it cannot swap micro SD cards. And this is where you get some pause to let that sink in.
For those who cannot appreciate the gravity of the issue, here’s the basic lowdown: the micro SD card is basically removable storage for any mobile device. You can transfer and store files in card and basically allow you to switch between multiple handsets or multiple cards (depending on how you prefer).
Switching between phones is understandable, if you have an Android and a BlackBerry, being able to carry around a single media library means that you can still watch that next episode stored on the card, regardless of which phone you use. In that same regard, being able to carry multiple cards means that you can delegate space better –like having one card store all music and another for videos.
In any case, the ability to switch and swap micro SD cards is longer a feature of convenience, but something that is expected from smart phones. But this is not possible with the Windows Phone 7 operating system. Apparently, the OS tends to stick to the initial card you use, with the data supposedly written in a completely new format (ironic, since this is a Microsoft OS). And worst of all, only certain SD cards work well with the OS (which seems to have a high transfer rate speed requirement).
In other news, it seems that T-Mobile and Orange UK are looking into making the iPad more accessible to buyers. The team that brought us Everything Everywhere has hinted that the Apple iPad price tag might drop down as far as 200 Pounds –depending on the 3G contract. For those who feel that the almost 500 Pound cost of the touch screen tablet is too much, this is a perfect opportunity.
Archive for the ‘Orange Phones’ Category
Windows Phone 7 SD Card Hunt
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010Mobile News Bits: Updates and News from UK Networks
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
T-Mobile UK is promising something special for users of the Samsung i9000 Galaxy S at the end of this month: the Android 2.2 Froyo will be made available for the smart phone ahead of schedule. For users of the phone on other networks, the expected update launch is set for early next month. This means that T-Mobile subscribers get to enjoy Flash and improved OS and web browsing performance ahead of their peers by the end of September.
Speaking of the Froyo update, the much delayed Orange Mobile UK Froyo update for the HTC Desire has finally been rolled out. Originally, Orange was able to make the update available as scheduled but had to it pull down due to technical issues that the update brought.
While it certainly took them quite some time to come up with a solution, they have finally done it and are now making the update available to all HTC Desire users under their network. It is advisable for those planning to download the update to do so under a secure and stable connection as the patch is about 90MB in size.
On a much larger news scale, T-Mobile, Orange, O2 and Vodafone are all confirmed to be offering Windows Phone 7 handsets when the new mobile platform finally comes out this coming October. Microsoft seems to have made well laid out plans as they have been able to get devices into all networks –effectively expanding the market viability of the new OS.
With several other powerful platforms already established on the market, it is important for MS to be able to show that the new WP7 platform is as flexible and versatile as they had promised.
Lastly, 3 UK has confirmed that they will be offering the Nokia C7 nHD smart phone later this year. The new media centric Symbian device will be sporting a 3.5 inch nHD touch screen display and support for HD video.
More News: YoGen is Eco Friendly, Orange Android is Coming
Monday, August 30th, 2010Everyone is looking for interesting new ways to generate clean energy, and YoGen is a great step in that direction. While this little rip-cord pulling gadget is hardly what you would rely on when it comes to getting a handset up to a full charge, it certainly helps add in a few minutes of usage time to any battery.
YoGen is easy to use, simply pull out the cord several times and it will wind up the motor and generate some power. If you are sitting in your desk, reading a book or watching a show, the motions can be done repeatedly in order to get the charge up and ready. Once it has been set, users can choose one of the many available connectors to connect the YoGen to almost any handset.
The device supports a wide variety of phones, the Apple iPhone, Sony Ericsson XPERIA phones, LG Optimus, Samsung Galaxy phones and Motorola Droids are just some of the devices that will support this eco friendly charger. Of course, each of these devices has great battery time, but having a little boost also helps out a lot.
In other news, it has been announced that Orange Mobile is currently working on a new mobile smart phone tablet that will be arriving later this year. For now, the device seems to be bound only for France while UK launch seems more likely for next year.
Will an Android Tablet be the item that Orange Mobile needs? It seems that with all the fuss with smart phones, paying attention to devices such as tablets tend to take a lower position in the priority lists for people.
On the other hand, there are plenty of professionals who would need the technology of a tablet. If Orange is able to bring their tablet to the business industry instead of keeping it bound to the general market, then this little Android gadget just might be the success they are waiting for.
A Week of Mobile News Highlights
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
This is a very busy week for the mobile phone industry with one new announcement after another. Here is a quick list of all the big headlines for the past couple of days.
First off, Samsung has confirmed that they are going to be releasing a white version of the GT i9000 Galaxy S Android smart phone. No word yet on exactly when this phone will be on stock, but it will be coming. Many believe that Samsung is directly competing with the iPhone 4 (which has a white version that has been terribly delayed).
O2 and the UK police have teamed up to bring down nine individuals that have conspired to steal millions from network providers. The arrest was just made recently and is a major step in helping out the local phone operators from potentially losing millions in a major scam.
Orange Mobile UK has confirmed that the iPhone 4 is now available for free on certain plans and tariffs. The big offer can still be availed off –especially now that the demand for the smart phone has died down considerably. Just be certain to avail of the free iPhone 4 Bumper through the downloadable iTunes app.
It has been confirmed that the Android operating system is now one of the largest mobile platforms available with over 55 million units distributed in this year alone. This volume is almost six times more than the amount of Android shipped out last year. Currently, Google’s Android is second place only to the Symbian OS.
Sony has taken the first step in a marketing campaign that pits the PSP against casual titles on the mobile phone industry. Many, however, believe that this is just a prologue to the upcoming PSP2 smart phone-gaming handheld which is supposedly an Android device. Google is indeed with Talks with Sony and it is possible that there is more to this rumor than meets the eye.
Project JAL: Orange’s Own Custom Android Smart Phone
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Having a custom Android smart phone is a great idea for Orange’s proprietary handset. Vodafone UK already has the 360 series (the M1, H1, etc) and T-Mobile UK already has the Pulse. Orange is pulling in mobile phone maker ZTE to create this brand new low end smart phone that is meant to bring the Android experience even to users who are on a budget.
So far, the tentative details and specs on the Project JAL handset are quite promising. First off the device will be using a 3.5 inch OLED capacitive touch screen display. Since the handset will not have a slide out QWERTY keyboard, the touch screen will serve as the primary user input. Of course, the screen aspect ratio will be using WVGA standards.
No word yet on what camera the handset will be packing, though the initial estimates give out something between a 2 to 3.2 mega pixel camera. Considering that the device is expected to have a retail price of only 100 to 150 Pounds Sterling, many do not expect to the camera to be anything much.
As a new Android device, many are already expecting that the phone will come with the version 2.2 Froyo update. So far, Google has yet to officially comment on what OS the device will be using.
Speaking of Android devices, there are several other Android devices coming up from other mobile phone manufacturers. HTC is getting geared up with the HTC Vision and Ace handsets. The details on the HTC Ace still minimal for now, though the HTC Vision is certainly worth checking out; the phone comes with a slide out QWERTY keyboard which is an extreme wish for many Android smart phone fans. The Vision is expected to come out with a 1.2 GHz CPU and a 4 inch capacitive touch screen display.
Orange Gets Exclusive Colors on Android Devices
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
There is a new HTC Desire version out there and only Orange is offering the device to their clients. The new Desire Black Edition has been confirmed to be part of Orange Mobile’s offerings for this April and this brings the number of the operator’s exclusive Android colors to two. This all black edition of the HTC Desire is both visually appealing and a much better deal than the regular version of the smart phone.
Aside from the black edition of the HTC Desire, Orange mobile is also offering the white version of the SE XPERIA X10.
The white version of the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 was announced last week as an exclusive bonus for Orange. This is the special white color version of the Japanese Swedish joint venture’s very first Android smart phone. The handset runs on a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU which means that it will be running apps and features without noticeable slowdowns. The 4 inch OLED touch screen and the 8 mega pixel camera also help put this device in the high end category.
Anyway, back to the HTC Desire, this smart phone is the most impressive Android from HTC yet. The phone is pretty much the basis for the specifications of the Nexus One and also brings a few extra HTC-made features of its own.
Much like the Nexus One, the Desire comes with a 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen for high quality visuals and easy touch controls, a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU for fast app and function loading as well as a 5 mega pixel camera. Added in to the Desire are the HTC Sense user interface and 720p HD video recording capabilities. Expect to see this handset available by the second week of April
Find out more about the new all black HTC Desire smart phone at Softpedia.