London now holds the claim to having the largest Apple store in the whole world. According to the Cupertino based company, the new store in London will be offering not only the Apple iPhone, but also the entire line of Apple’s products as well. So expect to see major launches for the next Apple smart phone, tablet, iMac and MacBook6 devices to come out from the big Apple store for the next few years.
Despite the bad reputation that Apple gained after the whole antenna incident (which is not really over considering the fact that the antenna has not been fixed at all), Apple is still one of the world’s most successful mobile phone makers in the world –and they have to thank the power of the iBrand for that. Apparently, any Apple device (with half-decent hardware) with the i-prefix would be able to sell millions and be a successful product overnight. The iPhone 4 and the iPad are just two examples of this.
In other mobile phone news, it seems that the Vodafone HTC Desire update was not all that we originally expected. While many believed that the announcement meant that the Android 2.2 Froyo would finally be available for the HTC Desire, all that was made available is the Vodafone 360 update.
For those who do not want unnecessary applications on their handsets, the best tip would be to avoid this update. This will install 360 features into the very firmware and it will be nearly impossible to delete without technical assistance. For those who already use the 360 service (such as those who started with the Samsung 360 devices), then download this update only if you intend to use it.
So far, there is no confirmation as to when the actual Froyo update will be released, but many are hoping that the HTC Desire, Legend and Wildfire all get the update before the month ends.
Posts Tagged ‘Vodafone’
Apple Opens Largest Store and the Misleading Vodafone Update
Monday, August 9th, 2010Vodafone’s Froyo Update for Nexus One Now Available
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
The very first handset to ever get the Android 2.2 Froyo update is the Google Nexus One. However, not all Nexus owners were able to update their devices to the latest Android OS. Those who got their Android smart phones under Vodafone had to wait for a while before a special version of the update has been made available.
According to Vodafone the wait is finally over. The Nexus One’s Android 2.2 update is now up and fully running. This new version of the Android operating system provides massive performance boost to the system and its browsing capabilities. It also supports the new Flash Player 10.1 from Adobe –giving the device access and full support for all Flash content on the internet.
The kernel management has been optimized, making the user interface run smoother and faster. Google states that overall performance has been increased three fold. Browsing online has also been fixed; Java now loads much faster and surfing the internet can be around two to five times faster than before (of course, not considering the connection speed that is).
Froyo also brings a few additional features such as tethering and using the handset as a wireless hotspot (which users are warned to always disable when not needed, as it could compromise data and of course, drain battery power). Exchange support has also been streamlined and several other features have been added in as well.
The Nexus One is currently only available through Vodafone UK. The old Google online store for the handset has been taken down just recently. App developers will still be able to order the handset directly from Google.
This high end Android smart phone comes with a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU, a 5 mega pixel camera (with autofocus, LED flash and geotagging) and a 3.7 inch AMOLED capacitive touch screen display.
Three New Smart Phones Now On Vodafone
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
Mobile network operator Vodafone UK has announced that it has three devices that are now offered on various plans.
At a two year, £25 monthly tariff, the BlackBerry Pearl 3G is being offered for free. The plan includes 300 minutes of talk time, unlimited messaging and 500MB of data. LG’s Android Optimus smart phone and the Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro handset will be free at £20 per month, also on a two year contract. The plan gives 100 minutes of talk time, 500 MB of data and 500 text messages.
With two new Androids and a BlackBerry handset, anyone looking for a good budget deal on a decent smart phone will certainly enjoy the choices being offered by Vodafone UK.
The SE Android, X10 Mini Pro is undoubtedly the best looking handset of the bunch. It still retains most of the design features of the original XPERIA X10, but on a smaller scale. The slide out QWERTY keyboard also adds and extra notch to the device’s form factor, making it a great choice for heavy texters and email users. In terms of specs, the X10 Mini Pro is virtually identical to the X10 Mini. Both phones come with a 2.55 inch TFT touch screens, 600 MHz CPUs and 5 mega pixel cameras.
Among the three handsets, the Optimus from LG is the least impressive in terms of specs, so unless you are not really fond of having a physical keyboard, then the X10 Mini Pro is a better choice –since they are available on similar contracts.
The BlackBerry Pearl 3G definitely has that unique look that only RIM can deliver –and the BB brand by itself is already impressive which makes it worth the slightly higher price tag (though in terms of monthly consumables, the Pearl offer has great value). Users might take a bit to get used to the unique button layout configuration (it curves down towards the center of the handset).
Nokia’s N8 Now on T-Mobile
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
The Nokia N8 has not yet been released, but mobile network operator T-Mobile UK has announced that pre-registration slots for the upcoming Symbian N series handset are already available. So anyone who has been dying to try out the Symbian foundations’ latest operating system might want to check out T-Mobile’s official website.
For those who are on a different network, there is no immediate need to switch carriers just yet. It has also been announced that Vodafone UK will also be offering the Nokia N8 on its contracts and tariffs; details are expected to be released by the end of next week –here’s to hoping for pre-order slots to be made available.
Anyway, some tech fans might be wondering why there is very little hype or fuss surrounding the Nokia N8. The handset itself is pretty impressive; it is a media centric device that focuses heavily on HD video recording and playback. The new UI for the Symbian^3 is quite dynamic and feels a lot more like the UI layouts we see in newer platforms. Despite all this, the media attention with Nokia seems to be focused elsewhere.
This is because of the fact that the Nokia N9 smart phone will be launching shortly after the N8 and it will be featuring the MeeGo operating system –which is a combination of the Maemo OS from Nokia and the Moblin OS from Intel. Not only does the N9 come with an all new OS, but it also shares very similar specifications to the Nokia N8.
However, this does not mean that the Symbian Foundation has already hang up its gloves and quit. In fact, it has just been recently known that the Symbian^4 operating system is in the works and some initial screenshots of the official OS running on an emulator have popping up online recently.
No More Nexus One Online
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
The Google branded smart phone, the Nexus One was heavily criticized for its initial launch availability. The device was initially only available through the Google Online Store which made it difficult to obtain for many smart phone fans. Because of this, the sales figures of the Nexus One was significantly lower than expected –the device only sold 20,000 units in the first week of sales –as a point of comparison, Vodafone UK’s January launch of the iPhone 3G took in 100,000 sales in a single week (and at that point, the iPhone was already out for almost two years).
The UK launch of the Nexus One was far more successful –Google saw that the online store was not as accessible as they believed it would be; this saw the Google handset being made available on store shelves locally.
While it was not so surprising for Google to have a self-branded smart phone, the industry is certainly surprised at the recent announcement from Google that there would be no Nexus Two handset. The company has never confirmed that the Nexus would be a series of handsets, but they certainly never discouraged the notion earlier on.
In any case, Google has just announced that the Nexus One would no longer be available on the online stores. While the device is still available in retail, it is believed that the production of the handset has already ceased.
Those hoping to still get a Nexus One can do so with Vodafone UK –the device is available on contract deals. Developers can also purchase the handset directly from Google through a special developer access channel.
The Nexus One comes with a 3.7 inch AMOLED touch screen display, a 5 mega pixel camera and a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU. While the handset carries the Google Branding, it was actually manufactured by longtime Google industry partner, HTC.
Vodafone’s 360 M1 Revisited
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
If you are looking for a smart phone to invest in and cannot decide which handset would suit you best, then it might be time to take a step away from all the new releases and try out an older handset. Sure, yesterday’s technology is obviously old news, but if a phone fits your needs, then no amount of hardware superiority can prove to be a better match.
Take the Vodafone 360 M1. Now this handset came out sometime around November of last year. It is certainly an old model by today’s standards, but it is certainly one great smart phone with plenty of users until today.
Right off the bat, the first thing that people should know about this phone is that it lacks WiFi, so for any user who needs a phone with WiFi, they should look elsewhere. But aside from that little issue, the 360 M1 is a well rounded handset. First off, it comes with a radio –of course, it may seem like a rudimentary feature, but one that people keep tending to forget when it comes to smart phones. An FM radio is one of the nicest things to try out on their phone. To activate it, simply go to the apps menu and turn it on.
Next is the 360 service from Vodafone. Now this is where the real deal is. It provides users with instant messaging and a secondary framework for socializing with friends and contacts. It even links with existing social networking accounts –allowing users to have a comprehensive system for checking updates.
Of course, users will need to switch to Vodafone to get the 360 M1. Currently, the device is available for a reasonable price –considering the features of the system. For those wondering, Samsung manufactured the Vodafone 360 handset series for the network operator.
Apple iPhone 4 Availability is Low in the UK
Monday, July 5th, 2010
It seems that after Apple has managed to sell over 1.7 million units of the iPhone 4 in just three days of sales, the Cupertino based company is having trouble keeping up with the demand. Recent reports indicate that stocks of the iPhone are not just low, but have already gone out of stock in various network operators.
3 UK and T-Mobile have yet to offer the iPhone 4 to their customers. The two networks are still leaving their iPhone offers on hold until stocks arrive. According to 3 UK, the iPhone 4 is expected to be made available by the end of this month. T-Mobile on the other hand did announce that they will also offer the Apple smart phone, but no details or date has been given.
Tesco mobile has announced that it is accepted pre-registrations for the iPhone. While the process will not ensure a handset for every person who signs up (unlike a pre-order which ensures an Apple iPhone 4 for the buyer), they have hinted that stocks of the handset will be arriving in a matter of weeks.
Vodafone UK has already run out of stocks –having received the Apple iPhone 4 early, they had already shipped out all the pre-order units to the customers and have proceeded to offer the handset locally. As one can see, the sheer volume of people who availed of the smart phone was more than enough to empty out the stocks of the network operator.
The same situation faces O2 UK. The network that originally hosted the older iPhone in the UK for three years has announced that all their stocks of the iPhone 4 are all out. Like the case with Vodafone, O2 has been able to accommodate all pre-order customers. According to OS, they are expecting a new batch of iPhone 4 stocks to arrive over the weekend.
Vodafone 845 and Samsung i9000 Galaxy S now Available
Friday, June 25th, 2010
Samsung’s latest Android handset, the i9000 Galaxy S is now available for free on Vodafone’s contract plans along with a low end Android smart phone, the Vodafone 845. The operator made handset may be a low end device, but it actually looks pretty good for a budget device.
Fans of the Android OS looking for a cheap handset will find the Vodafone 845 a reasonable device to go for. At only 15 Pounds a month for two years, users will get to enjoy 100 minutes of talk time, unlimited text messages and 500MB of data allowance –it’s a pretty good deal for the data allowance alone, and users will get a nifty looking 3G touch screen Android smart phone along with it.
The 845 sports a humble 2.8 inch TFT touch screen, a 3.2 mega pixel camera and of course, the Android operating system.
The Samsung Galaxy S on the other hand is a pretty high end smart phone, but for free at a 35 Pound monthly tariff, Vodafone still manages to provide a value packed deal for the device. The 24 month contract will give users 900 minutes, unlimited text messages and 1GB of mobile data allowance. It is a sweet deal especially for users who rely heavily on 3G connectivity.
This Korean handset comes with an ARM Cortex A8 CPU clocked at 1GHz, a 4 inch super AMOLED capacitive touch screen display (a larger version of the display on the Samsung Wave), a 5 mega pixel camera with autofocus and LED flash, 720p video recording and 8GB of internal memory.
Topping that off is a full featured Android 2.1 Éclair operating system and you have the makings of a great smart phone. There are rumors that the Galaxy S Pro might be brought over to the UK though Samsung has yet to confirm the announcement.
Vodafone UK Offers Nokia C3 for only 80 Pounds
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
2G handsets these days get very little attention, more often than not most of these candy bar handsets offer little in terms of difference. While most of the hardware specs are similar, the biggest differences lay only in the style of the device –if nothing else. But there are some devices that can manage to stand out, even if just the little.
The Nokia C3 is one such handset, with its sleek looking QWERTY keyboard, matte finish and 2.4 inch TFT display, the handset is a good example of a fancy looking 2G mobile phone. And thankfully, the device actually offers some pretty useful features too.
Vodafone UK has announced that it will be offering this handset for only 80 on pay as you go. This is great value for anyone who wants to buy a decent low end mobile handset. For this price, users will get a fully functional mobile phone with good features, a decent balance of hardware specs and social networking.
Yep, the C3 features some integrated social networking features. It lacks 3G so getting live updates is a bit difficult, but as long as you are in an area with free WiFi; it will not be a problem. Supporting WLAN 802.11 b/g, the C3 is not only a QWERTY toting mobile phone, it is also a social networking tool.
With a 320 x 240 screen display, web and other content are viewed in clear, crisp visuals. The directional pad works nicely with the keyboard for controls, and the 2 mega pixel camera will have users able to upload and share images online instantly.
The handset only has 55MB of internal memory, so expect to bring around a microSD card for your files and other data. With a 1320 mAh battery, you can run through a whole day’s worth of audio files before draining out. According to Nokia, the C3 has a talk time of about 7 hours straight.
Double Android Offer: X10 Mini and Wildfire on Vodafone
Friday, June 11th, 2010
Vodafone UK seems to have one of the most extensive and impressive lineup of mobile phone offerings this year. The mobile network operator has already confirmed that they will be offering the iPhone 4 when it comes out on June 24, in the meanwhile, smart phone fans will get to choose between a wide range of Android handsets, including these two new devices from HTC and Sony Ericsson.
The HTC Wildfire is pretty much a surprise smart phone from the Taiwanese manufacturer. With all the focus on HTC’s Desire and Legend handsets, no one expected that they had a third device waiting on the wings and unlike the two other devices, the Wildfire is actually a low to mid range handset.
With its 3.2 inch TFT capacitive touch screen display, 5 mega pixel camera, and 528 MHz CPU, the Wildfire is pretty much the quintessential mid range Android handset. As one would expect, this phone will be making use of the Android 2.2 Éclair OS as well as HTC’s SENSE user interface. A new feature of their phone is how it heavily incorporates social networking features. Users will be able to access their Facebook and Twitter accounts with integrated apps which also allow for easy sharing and uploading of media.
The Sony Ericsson X10 Mini smart phone is basically bite-sized version of the more impressive XPERIA X10. Doing away with all the big heavy specs and the large touch screen, the X10 Mini is basically what a bare-bones Android handset should be –minimal hardware packed to the brim with features.
Sony Ericsson will also be releasing a second version of this Android handset soon. The X10 Mini Pro is pretty much the same Android smart phone as the original device, but with the addition of a slide out QWERTY keyboard.