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Review: Nokia Lumia 710, A Good Alternative To The Lumia 800
By DigitalVersus, published 29-03-2012
After the high-end Lumia 800, Nokia is extending its Windows Phone family with a mid-range smartphone: the Lumia 710. Nokia Lumia 710 With a 3.7-inch screen, 1.4 MHz processor, 512...
Review: Nokia Lumia 800
By TechRadar, published 11-07-2011
Overview, Design and FeelThe Nokia Lumia 800 is the first Windows Phone handset to spring from the Microsoft / Nokia tie-up announced in February, and we've got our hands on an early sample to check it out.We have to point out at the start that this is a pre-production sample from Nokia, and as such further features will be added – it's close enough to completion that we can give you a good idea what the phone is all about, but in line with TechRadar's reviews guarantee, we won't be giving the phone a score until the final software is releasedThe Nokia Lumia 800 shares its exterior styling with the previously substantially less hyped Nokia N9, a Meego-based smartphone, although the screen size is reduced from 3.9" (854x480 pixels) to 3.7" (800x480 pixels) to conform to the Window...
First Nokia Windows Phone devices revealed
By TechRadar, published 25-10-2011
The first two Nokia Windows Phone devices will be called the Lumia 800 and Lumia 710 according to leaked marketing materials ahead of Nokia World.The long-awaited handsets are likely to be unveiled by CEO Stephen Elop at the Nokia World expo in London on Wednesday, and are set to go on sale next month.The Lumia 800, which has long been spoken of as the Nokia SeaRay, will look similar to the N9 and boast 512MB of memory, weight 142g and by 12mm thick, according to the posters.The Lumia 710, codenamed Sabre, is set to arrive packing a curved candybar form factor and will have 8GB of internal storage.A year in the makingWednesday's reveal will bring to a close a year-long wait for Nokia's Windows Phone offering.For both the Finnish manufacturer and Microsoft the partnership could not be more ...
Microsoft confirms NFC in Windows Phones in 2012
By TechRadar, published 20-10-2011
Microsoft used this year's AsiaD conference to reveal that NFC will be coming to Windows Phones in 2012, but the company is not looking to compete with Google Wallet.Instead it will be using the NFC payment technology to link into services that already exist.This is according to Microsoft's President of Windows Phone, Mr Andy Lees, who took the stage and explained Microsoft's stance on NFC."Microsoft is providing technological building blocks so payments can be done on the phone – we aren't competing with other people providing service," he explained. "We'll have a platform approach."People approachLees also commented on Android and Siri, mentioning that he thought Android was "very techie" and that Google hadn't taken the "people approach" with the OS.Thi...
Google's Photovine sharing app goes live
By TechRadar, published 18-08-2011
Google has released its new Photovine photo-sharing app into the wild for iOS users.The new application which, strangely enough, is only available for Apple devices, has been available in private beta but is now live on the App Store for all users.Photovine allows users to add photographs taken on the device's camera to "Vines" which are thematic collaborations from all users of the application. Vines are effectively categories, so you can add your own pictures to threads like "At My Bedside" or "Things I see when travelling" or "Sunrises."Plant a photoYou can also start your own Vines, hence the tag-line "Plant a photo and watch it grow."The app isn't just limited to interacting with random users of the service, you can sync the service with your Facebook and Twitter to enable you to foll...
Samsung praises Google's Motorola purchase
By TechRadar, published 17-08-2011
While Samsung has released a statement praising the 'protection' that Google's purchase of Motorola will bring Android, in reality the company is said to be concerned at the power shift in the smartphone industry. According to Yonhap News, Samsung's chairman Lee Kun-hee called an emergency meeting after the deal was announced, warning execs that hardware manufacturers are losing power while those who control the software are able to call the shots. "[The company] must strengthen the competitiveness of its information technology (IT), secure more human resources and also more actively seek mergers and acquisitions," Lee was quoted as saying. "We must pay attention to the fact that IT power is moving away from hardware companies such as Samsung to software companies."Apparently Samsung's Bad...
Network stock recall tips iPhone 5 for 12 September launch
By TechRadar, published 17-08-2011
Telefonica, which owns the O2 network, is reportedly set to begin scaling back iPhone stock in advance of "the launch of a new smartphone" on 12 September. That new smartphone, it stands to reason, is the much-discussed but never once confirmed iPhone 5, with the stock recall tip coming from an anonymous network employee.The iPhone 5 release date has swung from June 2011 to early 2012 and back again, but speculation does seem to have settled in a middling point around the September/October 2011 time. Hype machineTraditionally, Apple launches its iPhone upgrades in June at WWDC, but this year's show brought only iOS 5, with nary a wider touchscreen or slimmer chassis in sight.After the WWDC no-show, the speculation over the iPhone 5's release date has become almost as absurd as the seemingl...
Analysis: What if Nokia had gone with Android?
By TechRadar, published 17-08-2011
Remember Nokia? It's still the world's biggest smartphone maker - Gartner's latest state of the smartphone market report shows that Nokia shipped a massive 97.9 million mobile devices in the second financial quarter of this year - but its share of the smartphone market is in free-fall.Even the good numbers are bad: in Nokia's latest financial report, CEO Stephen Elop reports that "we took action in China and Europe to address an inventory build-up that occurred in the first quarter of 2011". Inventory build-up is what happens when retailers have lots of your phones and customers aren't buying them. Price cuts helped shift that - "we took a more responsive approach to product pricing around the world", Elop says - but as Gartner points out, "we will not see a repeat of this performance in t...
HTC files new lawsuits against Apple
By TechRadar, published 17-08-2011
HTC and Apple will be heading back to court once again as HTC files a new lawsuit accusing Apple of infringing its patents in the US. The Taiwanese company has asked the International Trade Commission (ITC) to ban Apple from selling its products that it says are infringing on its intellectual property (including the iPhone, iPad and Mac computers) as well as for monetary compensation.A statement from HTC's general counsel Grace Lei said: "Apple needs to stop its infringement of our patented inventions in its products. "We are taking this action against Apple to protect our intellectual property, our industry partners, and most importantly our customers that use HTC products."Latent patentThe new suit follows the ITC's ruling against HTC in July.HTC is keen to appeal the ruling despite its ...
Updated: iPhone 5 rumours: what you need to know
By TechRadar, published 17-08-2011
iPhone 5 (or the iPhone 4S, as some are calling it) rumours are flying thick and fast - indeed, it's become somewhat of a storm with the industry convinced that the new handset will make its debut in early September. Let's raid the iPhone 5 rumour fridge to find the tomatoes of truth amid the stinky stilton of baseless speculation.Check out what TechRadar is hoping makes it into the next iPhone, in our video wish list.iPhone 5 release dateThis year's WWDC was about software, not hardware, with Apple focussing on iOS and Mac OSOn 20 April 2011, it emerged that the iPhone 5 release date may be September 2011. This date was cited by three sources who spoke to Reuters. On 6 May it was reported that Apple manufacturer Pegatron has reportedly been given a massive order by Jobs and co to produce ...
Teen girl charged with BlackBerry Messenger incitement
By TechRadar, published 08-12-2011
An 18-year-old woman has been charged by police, accused of using the BlackBerry Messenger service to encourage others to participate in riots.The unnamed teenager, from Clacton in Essex, is alleged to have used the group messaging service to encourage her friends to go rioting in the town, as violence spread across the UK this week.She has now been formally charged, under the Serious Crime Act, of intentionally encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence, and will appear in court on September 1st.The police action comes following widespread condemnation of how social media and BlackBerry Messenger in particular, was used in the shocking spread of rioting in London and other UK cities.This is the first case in which police have specified the use of BBM.Shut downEarlier this we...
Teen charged with BlackBerry Messenger incitement
By TechRadar, published 08-12-2011
An 18-year-old woman has been charged by police, accused of using the BlackBerry Messenger service to encourage others to participate in riots.The unnamed teenager, from Clacton in Essex, is alleged to have used the group messaging service to encourage her friends to go rioting in the town, as violence spread across the UK this week.She has now been formally charged, under the Serious Crime Act, of intentionally encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence, and will appear in court on September 1st.The police action comes following widespread condemnation of how social media and BlackBerry Messenger in particular, was used in the shocking spread of rioting in London and other UK cities.This is the first case in which police have specified the use of BBM.Shut downEarlier this we...
Review: Vodafone 555 Blue
By TechRadar, published 08-12-2011
With social network-'addicted' teens and a global Facebook population greater than that of the United States, bringing out an affordable PAYG Facebook-integrated feature phone should be a sure bet, in theory. But then we also know that there are lies, damned lies and statistics. So, is the Vodafone 555 Blue as sure a bet after all?Well, for a basic feature phone, the Vodafone 555 Blue is a pretty enough handset. With its silver-and-white matt plastic casing, it has only just enough weight behind it. It sits comfortably in the hand with its curved corners, and with a QWERTY keyboard it's very, very reminiscent of that other Facebook phone, the HTC ChaCha – without, it seems, any of the ChaCha's features. At only 12mm thick and rather light, the Vodafone 555 Blue will fit easily into teena...
Nokia brings NFC technology to London museum
By TechRadar, published 08-12-2011
Nokia is bringing brought Near Field Communication technology to life by giving London's museum visitors an easy way to learn more through their phones.Nokia is using its new NFC Hub service at the Museum of London to enable users to touch their phones to certain exhibits and instantly learn more information about the display.The tags around the museum will not only give information on exhibits but also allow users to directly interact with the location's social networks, download dedicated apps for their phone and get vouchers for the shops and cafes.It's not all direct information - things like booking tickets or app downloads offer redirects to the relevant website, but still offers an easy way for users to see how smartphones can be used in new ways.New interaction"NFC technology has t...
Samsung Galaxy Xcover officially unveiled
By TechRadar, published 08-12-2011
Samsung has finally announced the Galaxy Xcover, a ruggedised phone with IP67 protection against the elements.It's not really a surprise that Samsung is bringing this phone, given the leaks all over the internet in the last day or two and the success of the Motorola Defy.The Galaxy Xcover is likely to be a lot cheaper than Moto's challenger though, given the spec sheet shows some low-end choices.For instance we're looking at a 3.65-inch screen with a 3MP camera (albeit with flash included) and an 800MHz processor pumping away under the hood.Take that, MotoHowever, Android 2.3 is included on the phone out of the box, which is one in the eye for the Defy, despite it's slightly higher spec sheet.The Galaxy Xcover comes with full IP67 rating, which means its splash, dust and shockproof. There'...
Samsung to launch 7-inch Galaxy Tab with AMOLED screen?
By TechRadar, published 08-12-2011
Samsung could be set to launch a new variant to its Galaxy Tab range, rebooting the original device and adding in some next-gen screen tech too.The new device would have a 7-inch screen, but use the same style of AMOLED displays as seen in the Galaxy S, according to sources quoted by OLED-Display.We're very much talking about a rumoured device here, and the rumour seems based on the fact Samsung showed off 7-inch OLED display prototypes back in March, which seems a little speedy to have made it into a device already.Shut up, foolsSamsung has moved to distance itself from rumours it will be launching a glut of new devices imminently, which could preclude the new Galaxy Tab:"Some media have been reporting that Samsung is preparing to launch nine new smartphones and two new tablet devices. Wh...
First Android Ice Cream Sandwich screenshots leaked?
By TechRadar, published 08-12-2011
It seems we're seeing the future, if leaked images of Google's new Ice Cream Sandwich Android iteration are anything to go by.Android Police and Roots Wiki seem to have come up with an odd cross-site team up to leak four pretty plausible screengrabs of the latest version of Google's mobile OS, which will likely be Android 4.0.Disappointingly it seems the new OS is currently quite similar to the old version in terms of user interface, with a tweaked menu system and slightly altered notifications bar the main differences.Slicker, quicker and beepierHowever, don't get too down-hearted just yet, as it's likely this IRK36B build (we know, catchy) is a long way from the finished product and there may be a lot more to come from the design team.Credit: Roots WikiPlus there are a lot more goodies o...
Nokia: No more Symbian phones in US
By TechRadar, published 08-09-2011
Nokia has admitted that it will no longer release Symbian handsets in the US once it starts selling Windows Phone devices.In an interview with All Things D, Nokia's North American chief Chris Weber says that the company is putting all hope of a smartphone revival on the partnership with Microsoft's improving operating system."When we launch Windows Phones we will essentially be out of the Symbian business, the S40 business, etc.," he said. "It will be Windows Phone and the accessories around that."Last throwRather ominously, Weber hinted that the Windows Phone tie-in, and the heavy marketing investment Nokia is planning around the launch, was somewhat of a last throw of the dice."The reality is if we are not successful with Windows Phone, it doesn't matter what we do."The revelation that N...
Rumour: October release for Ice Cream Sandwich?
By TechRadar, published 08-09-2011
Google could be planning to launch the first Ice Cream Sandwich Android devices in October, if the latest anonymous source is to be believed. According to the tipster, the Android-owning search giant doesn't want potential Ice Cream Sandwich customers coming out of their contracts and being lured by the iPhone 5, which is also tipped to arrive in September or October, depending on who you talk to. Further new details are scant, but the Ice Cream Sandwich OS is likely to land on a new flagship Android device, be it a smartphone or a tablet. YummyAnnounced earlier this year, the new OS is intended to sit on both phones and slates. Google described it as its "most ambitious release to date", bringing the most delicious bits of both Honeycomb and Gingerbread to one salacious operating system. ...
Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro released in the UK
By TechRadar, published 08-09-2011
The dinky Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro has finally been released in the UK, bringing its slide-out QWERTY keyboard and Android 2.3 with it.Available now from Carphone Warehouse, the Xperia Mini Pro can be yours for £20 a month on a 24-month plan on Orange. First unveiled back in May, the Xperia Mini Pro has a 3-inch screen which offers the same Sony Bravia technology that you'll find in its higher end brethren like the Xperia Play. Professional midgetIt's virtually the same phone as the X10 Mini, but for the addition of the slide-out QWERTY; so you'll get the same Android 2.3, the same HD video recording, the same 1GHz Snapdragon processor and the same Timescape UI that works with the touchscreen. We awarded a princely four stars in our official Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro review, desc...
Official BlackBerry blog taken down after hack
By TechRadar, published 08-09-2011
RIM's official BlackBerry blog was hacked this afternoon in retaliation against the company after it announced that it would cooperate with the police investigation into the London riots. The hackers calling themselves TeamPoison posted a statement on the blog, warning that RIM would "regret it" if it passes information on to the police. "If you do assist the police by giving them chat logs, gps locations, customer information & access to peoples BlackBerryMessengers you will regret it," the statement read. "We have access to your database which includes your employees information; e.g – Addresses, Names, Phone Numbers etc. – now if u assist the police, we _WILL_ make this information public and pass it onto rioters…. do you really want a bunch of angry youths on your employees doors...
Nokia outlines exciting phone name strategy
By TechRadar, published 08-01-2011
Nokia has decided to take the unusual step of changing the way it names its phones AGAIN in a bid to make it easier to understand the difference between each model.Essentially, the days of letter preceding a number to denote a certain type of handset are gone, a move Nokia says shows it's going to 'stop telling users what to do with their phones' - so we have no idea what do with the new Nokia 500, which seemingly couldn't be more middle of the road."Perhaps you use your Eseries business smartphone mainly for games or IM-ing friends? Maybe you're crunching numbers on a spreadsheet using an entertainment-focused Nokia X7? "That's up to you – the classifications were indicators, but often, they didn't match-up to what people were actually doing with their phones."Think of a number, multipl...
HTC admits no 'regular' Desire Gingerbread update coming
By TechRadar, published 08-01-2011
HTC has seemingly confirmed that the Gingerbread update to the HTC Desire will not be coming as an over the air upgrade.This means the only way to receive the latest software is to connect up to a PC and completely re-flash the handset, deleting all messages, contacts and media saved to the internal memory.Mark Moons, HTC's Benelux president, stated on Twitter that HTC will not be offering the update over the air, as most consumers will be used to, meaning there will be no 'safe' version of the software, which currently comes with the caveat that SMS and MMS functionality may be impeded:"This is THE Gingerbread upgrade Desire. There will no longer get OTA. Through a good, old-fashioned cable..."Users - know your limits"If you do not know what the benefits of the Desire RUU upgrade, I recom...
iPhone 5 release date outed by network holiday ban?
By TechRadar, published 08-01-2011
US phone network AT&T has banned holiday requests for the last two weeks in September, which many are speculating is down to the launch of the Apple iPhone 5. An anonymous AT&T employee claims the announcement is due to an "event blackout". "Historically the only time they've done this was for an iPhone release," the tipster adds. Wait a minute… However, 'sources with knowledge of Apple's plans' claim that the AT&T employee is misinformed; "I don't know why AT&T's calling for all hands on deck those weeks, but it's not for an iPhone launch," it told All Things D. Rather, the second anonymous source says the iPhone 5 will land in October, although he declined to give any indication of when exactly we'll see it. So all we can tell you for sure is that there will be a new iPhone but when it...
HTC Desire Android 2.3 update released for 'expert users'
By TechRadar, published 08-01-2011
HTC has released an Android 2.3 update for the HTC Desire, but it might not be the Android 2.3 update for the HTC Desire that you're looking for.In the note announcing the update on the HTC UK Facebook page, the company notes that "this update is only recommended for expert users who want to experience Android 2.3." That's because only the ROM upgrade utility for connecting the phone to a computer (RUU) is being made available rather than a traditional software update over the air (you know, the one where the phone tells you there's an update available).The upshot of this is anyone updating their software will need a spot of technological know-how and will lose any message, emails, customisations and contacts stored on their phone. More to come?HTC's announcement goes on to add that "This ...
Nokia slip slingshots Apple into No.1 spot
By TechRadar, published 21-07-2011
Apple has now overtaken Nokia as the world's leading smartphone manufacturer following this week's massively contrasting financial reports.On Tuesday, Apple announced that it had sold a staggering 20.4m iPhone handsets between April and June, on the way to record-setting income and profits for the quarter.Nokia responded on Thursday with a hugely disappointing loss of £323 million for the same period, during which it sold 16.7m handsets - down 32 per cent from one year previous.That means, for the first time Apple shifted more iPhones in a single quater than Nokia sold handsets making Steve Jobs's company officially the biggest smartphone manufacturer in the world.The news will be icing on the cake for Cupertino as it already overtaken Nokia in terms of the revenue brought in from the sma...
TechRadar Phone Awards: Samsung Galaxy S2 wins Phone of the Year award
By TechRadar, published 21-07-2011
The TechRadar Phone Awards have come to a close, with Samsung nabbing the Phone of the Year award for the Samsung Galaxy S2.Samsung's flagship offering managed to win the overall award even though it has only been out for a short time, but the Apple iPhone 4 took the gold in one of the major categories: Best Phone for Business. This is something of a sea change for the mobile phone market, pipping the likes of RIM, with the BlackBerry 9780, from the winner's spot.Another big winner in the awards was Android, which managed to bag the Best OS category - with eight of the nine judges voting for the Google's mobile phone operating system.The judges of the TechRadar Awards this year comprised tech experts from TechRadar, MSN, T3, Gizmodo, Sky News, uSwitch, Silicon and the Telegraph.As well as ...
Nokia posts £323m loss, smartphone sales down 32%
By TechRadar, published 21-07-2011
Nokia has posted its financial results for the second quarter of 2011, revealing an enormous net loss of £323 million. Net sales of all products fell by 7 per cent, but the company was heavily hit in the smartphone arena where it sold 32 per cent fewer handsets compared to the same quarter a year earlier. The heavy losses won't come as too much of a surprise to the company, which is well aware of its failings in the growing smartphone market and is taking steps to improve its fortunes by moving to the Windows Phone 7 OS later this year. However, it was forced to issue a warning earlier in the week that its results were likely to be even worse than anticipated. Blame gamePredictably, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop deflected blame to the "strategic transformation" and conceded that it impacted in "...
Exclusive: Samsung denies Galaxy R set to land in UK
By TechRadar, published 19-07-2011
Reports that the Samsung Galaxy Z, a watered-down version of the fancy Galaxy S2, is coming to the UK have been played down by the Korean firm.The phone, which features a dual 1GHz Tegra 2 processor and slightly smaller 4.3-inch screen without the Super AMOLED Plus screen, was supposed to be coming to the UK as the Galaxy R - but we have since received the following statement from Samsung:"To date, the Samsung Galaxy R has not been confirmed for the UK Market. "However Samsung currently has a range of Galaxy handsets available in the UK, including the Galaxy S II and the Galaxy Ace, and is committed to providing a range of smartphones at varied price options to suit different consumer needs."Neither here nor thereIt's a pretty vague statement to be honest - it doesn't preclude the possibil...
Sky Go app for iOS appears on App Store
By TechRadar, published 19-07-2011
The Sky Go app has finally made into onto the App Store, with Apple allowing the online and mobile TV app from one of the UK's biggest broadcasters to go through. Sky Go is the service that brings together Sky Mobile TV and Sky Player into one service, allowing the streaming of live sports and movies for those with the right TV subscriptions. Sky TV customers will now be able to watch the five Sky Sports channels, ESPN and Sky News on their iOS devices, including iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Subs There will also be access to a selection of Sky Movies channels, depending on the user's subscription package. More Sky channels are set to be added as the service grows. Sky's recent acquisition of The Cloud public Wi-Fi service will soon be supporting Sky Go, but timings for that roll out are st...
Nokia Sea Ray Windows Phone 7 prototype caught on video
By TechRadar, published 19-07-2011
Nokia's Windows Phone 7 prototype, code-named Sea Ray, has been leaked again in a very clear, very thorough video from one of the company's manufacturing plants. The video shows an anonymous demonstrator removing the handset from its boxy protective casing and demonstrating the hardware features before turning the handset on to show off the Mango-flavoured operating system. There's also a brief demo of the camera, complete with shutter button. Let's blue sky this guerrilla marketing ideaThe handset was first "leaked" when a video of CEO Stephen Elop showing it off landed on the internet in June (not long after the company announced the MeeGo-running Nokia N9, to which Sea Ray is almost identical). We're not saying Nokia is definitely "leaking" these photos and videos on purpose, but when E...
Hands on: Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray review
By TechRadar, published 15-07-2011
At the recent Sony Ericsson Christmas in July showcase we spotted the latest handset from the company's joint venture: the Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray.The new phone is another phone that marks the brand's rise from the smartphone doldrums - sure, the Xperia Play and Xperia Neo might not have been the greatest phones to ever leave the factory, but the Ray offers some decent tech in a low-price package.The Xperia Ray is an altogether smaller affair than the likes of the Xperia Arc and Play, with a 3.3-inch screen on the front, powered by the same Bravia engine we've seen on a number of other SE handsets, coming along for the ride.The highlight of the phone is undoubtedly the screen - with a FWVGA offering (which translates into 854x480 pixel count) the resolution is absolutely pin-sharp - only ...
Motorola unveils Android-based budget smartphone XT316
By Thinkdigit, published 15-07-2011
Motorola has unveiled its new Android-based smartphone for markets outside the US. The phone codenamed XT316 is a budget phone and comes with a full QWERTY keypboard. According to reports, the phone is likely to be pitted against the likes of the Nokia E5 and the BlackBerry Curve 3G. [RELATED_ARTICLE] Reports say Motorola will launch the phone as “Fire” in Europe and “Spice Key” in Latin America. In Asia, the phone will be launched in Hong Kong and Taiwan later this sum [...] Read the entire article
Motorola announced XT316 budget Android QWERTY phone
By GSMArena, published 13-07-2011
Motorola has announced a new budget smartphone based on Android. The XT316 has a candybar form-factor and a full QWERTY keyboard and is likely to compete against the likes of the Nokia E5 and the...
Nokia releases updates for older Symbian handsets
By TechRadar, published 29-06-2011
Nokia has launched some software updates for handsets running Symbian 3.2 and Symbian 5.0, including an upgraded browser and Ovi Maps. Although Symbian^3 and its forthcoming Anna update are the most advanced of the Symbian crew, it's only available on newer phones like the Nokia N8; older phones are now getting a bit of update love. The Symbian update brings with it the Nokia browser v7.3 which is the same web browsing software that will be coming to the Anna update. This means faster browsing, international domain name support and compatibility with other scripts like Arabic and Chinese. What funAlso en route to the aging handsets is an updated Ovi Maps app; Symbian 3.2 handsets, like the Nokia E72, Nokia E5 and Nokia C5-00, will get indoor positioning via Wi-Fi and location-based recomme...
Nokia releases updates older Symbian handsets
By TechRadar, published 29-06-2011
Nokia has launched some software updates for handsets running Symbian 3.2 and Symbian 5.0, including an upgraded browser and Ovi Maps. Although Symbian^3 and its forthcoming Anna update are the most advanced of the Symbian crew, it's only available on newer phones like the Nokia N8; older phones are now getting a bit of update love. The Symbian update brings with it the Nokia browser v7.3 which is the same web browsing software that will be coming to the Anna update. This means faster browsing, international domain name support and compatibility with other scripts like Arabic and Chinese. What funAlso en route to the aging handsets is an updated Ovi Maps app; Symbian 3.2 handsets, like the Nokia E72, Nokia E5 and Nokia C5-00, will get indoor positioning via Wi-Fi and location-based recomme...
Batphone app turns you into Batman
By TechRadar, published 24-06-2011
A new smartphone app has been developed to help enthusiasts capture the ultrasonic chirps of local bats.The iBats app, which for the purposes of pretending to be Batman, we're going to call the batphone app, can record the sounds of 900 different bat species from around the world.Once you've downloaded the free iPhone or Android app, you need to plug in an ultrasonic microphone and the app will record the calls that are inaudible to the human ear.The app is designed for the 700 global members of the volunteer bat-tracking website iBats. Any recordings will be uploaded to the database, where specialist software will identify the species.Heart monitor for wildlifeiBats project manager Kate Jones says: "Bats are like a heart monitor for wildlife."Their presence can tell us a lot about the hea...
Week in Tech: Nokia's N9 and the shape of smartphones to come
By TechRadar, published 24-06-2011
It's been a while since Nokia unveiled an exciting new smartphone, so we were delighted to see the new Nokia N9. Nokia's great at making mobile phone hardware, and the N9 is one of its very best designs. The specs aren't bad either: a tough polycarbonate shell, an 8MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics, a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor with "PowerVR SGX530 graphics to help awesome-ize games and video" and up to 64GB of on-board storage.Our hands-on Nokia N9 review predicts that the N9 could well become "an underground favourite", while our N9 video preview (see below) shows that it's a nippy device with a really nice interface. It's the first Nokia phone to run the MeeGo operating system, and we think it's really rather good.Will more MeeGo models follow? Don't hold your breath, says columnist Ga...
Phone Awards 2011: Have you voted in the TechRadar Phone Awards yet?
By TechRadar, published 23-06-2011
The TechRadar Phone Awards has been a huge success this year with over 100,000 reader votes cast already.If you have yet to have your say, don't worry as there is still a few weeks left before the 8 July closing date. This is when we close the voting process and your chance to win one of 13 smarter than smart smartphones is over.That's right, if you vote then you can also enter our competition, where we have 5 Dell Venues, Pros, 5 HTC Pros, 2 Sony Ericsson Xperia arcs and 1 Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY up for grabs!The readers' categories you can vote in are as follows:One to watchBest GameBest AppBest Phone FeatureWTF of the yearBest NetworkNow that we have narrowed down the nominations to just five in each category, it is more important than ever to have your say and get your vote counted.A...
CoPilot Live Premium: social sat nav app launched
By TechRadar, published 23-06-2011
ALK has announced a massive update to its CoPilot Live range, with Facebook check-ins, Twitter functionality and Bing integration making up some of the extras to be found on CoPilot Live Premium.CoPilot has been making decent satnav apps for sometime now and this update is something of a rebranding for the company.Based on CoPilot 9 – which TechRadar tested earlier in the year – the new app adds more functionality to make it easier to get to where you want to go.Premium featuresNew features include the ability to create your own route by dragging your finger across the screen, as well as ActiveTrafffic which will sort you out if you are in a fix – offering real-time traffic updates and the like.The app also uses more of your phone's functionality, so you can cut and paste addresses s...
Video: Nokia N9 video preview
By TechRadar, published 22-06-2011
We all knew it was coming - the first MeeGo-powered smartphone from Nokia, emerging in the shape of the N9.We spent some time with the Nokia N9 to test out its new MeeGo user interface, including a split home screen that covers multi-tasking, a list of applications and notifications.The speed of the 1GHz processor was impressed, especially compared to Nokias of the past, and the polycarbonate chassis really sits well in the hand.In fact, the whole pseudo-buttonless design of the Nokia N9 is impressive, and it will come in magenta, cyan and black, with the colours scheme running the entire way through the chassis to stop unsightly scratches.Here's hoping this isn't the one and only MeeGo phone from Nokia, as it's actually rather good - so check out our video hands on to see the new phone in...
Updated: Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray launches with Android 2.3
By TechRadar, published 22-06-2011
Over in Singapore, Sony Ericsson has unleashed a new Android 2.3 handset in the form of the Xperia Ray, toting a 1GHz processor. The 3.3-inch touchscreen phone is just 0.1mm thicker than the iPhone 4 and comes with Sony's Mobile Bravia Engine, last seen on the high-end Xperia handsets unveiled at Mobile World Congress, including the Xperia Arc. Sting like a sting ray "We expect Xperia Ray to appeal to consumers who are looking for a combination of beautiful design and a rich feature set," said global product marketing manager Daniel Sandblom. We'd question the beautiful design side of things, but the Ray isn't lacking in features. The 8.1MP camera offers the Exmor R sensor technology and HD video recording, and there's also a front-mounted camera for video-calling. As well as Sony Ericsson...
Sony Ericsson Xperia Active wants you fitter
By TechRadar, published 22-06-2011
Sony Ericsson has announced the arrival of the Sony Ericsson Active and – a handset that's built for the extreme sports crowd, as well as the Sony Ericsson txt for, well, texting lovers.The Xperia Active is a phone for those who play sports and seemingly can't bear to be without to miss a call or tweet. There's even a hook at the bottom of the Active and a wrist strap to make sure you don't lose your phone when you are running, surfing, sumo wrestling… whatever trendy athlete-types do nowadays. To make sure the handset can survive a night out in Newcastle, the Sony Ericsson Active is waterproof to one metre and also scratch resistant. Bear in mind, though, the waterproof element will only last for 30 minutes to a depth of 1m, so keeping this phone could be a lot like keeping a gremlin....
Samsung denied access to iPhone 5, iPad 3
By TechRadar, published 22-06-2011
A judge has ruled against giving Samsung early access to the unreleased Apple iPhone 5 and iPad 3. The Korean company had 'demanded' to see the top secret products after Apple was granted access to five upcoming Samsung phones and tablets. While Judge Lucy Koh put the kibosh on a sneak peek at the much-anticipated iPhone 5, she did warn that Samsung can still reference these unannounced products as part of its defence. Upsetting the Apple cart"Samsung is free to argue, for instance, that there is little likelihood of confusion because consumers will not encounter its products side-by-side with the iPhone 4 or iPad 2, but rather with Apple's next generation iPhone and iPad," she said. "Similarly, as to proximity, Samsung is free to argue that because the iPhone 4 and iPhone 2 will soon be o...
Hands on: Nokia N9 review
By TechRadar, published 21-06-2011
The Nokia N9 is the first MeeGo-powered smartphone from the Finns, and we certainly hope it won't be the last because it's actually a rather decent piece of kit.The unibody polycarbonate chassis might feel a little plasticky to the touch, but it seamlessly integrates into the glass 3.9-inch OLED panel, which offers ClearBlack display technology to make the dark bits darker and the colours more vivid than ever before.And like the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, the Nokia N9 design team has worked to improve the quality of the screen by bringing it closer to the glass, making it look darker than ever when the screen is turned off.The chassis of the phone is pretty much free from buttons, save for the volume and power keys on the right hand side. There's no physical home button, with Nokia preferri...
In pictures: Nokia N9
By TechRadar, published 21-06-2011
Nokia's new MeeGo-powered phone has finally been unveiled, and offers up a whole new experience from previous Finnish phones.We're just finishing up our in-depth hands on with the new phone, but until then here's a selection of our photos of the device so you can get a fuller-feeling over what this new phone really looks like.Related StoriesNokia N9 unveiled - crazy home screens and specs galoreNokia Symbian Anna update to land in JulyNokia launches three new Symbian handsetsiPhone 5 release date pegged for AugustHands on: Nokia N9 review
Acer slashes tablet sales forecasts for 2011
By TechRadar, published 15-06-2011
Acer has confirmed it has reduced it forecast for tablet sales in 2011 by almost 60%, as well as fewer notebook shipments.According to Reuters, Acer Chairman J.T. Wang told reporters that the company is looking at shifting up to 3 million tablets in 2011, far fewer than the 5-7 million previously anticipated.This means the world's second-biggest PC maker will still be selling around 800,000 tablets in the second and third quarter of this year, although that figure is dwarfed by the likes of the iPad and Motorola Xoom.Crowded marketAcer hasn't experienced the most vibrant of entrances into the increasingly crowded tablet market after it admitted its 7-inch Iconia Tab A100 would be pushed back for release later in the year.It has already released the likes of the Iconia Tab A500 and W500 so ...
Rumour: HTC moving to slim, plasti-metal chassis
By TechRadar, published 13-06-2011
HTC's next smartphone behemoth could use plastic-and-metal moulding technology to offer a super-skinny casing. Rumours that the much-loved phone manufacturer has placed orders with Chenming Mold Industrial (CMI) have come by way of sometimes-correct Digitimes, which cites component maker insiders as its sources. It's a case of two becoming one at CMI where they've developed NanoMolding Technology (NMT) which creates mouldings made of combined metal and plastic, rather than cases which are made of both metal and plastic pieces, like that of the HTC Sensation. Pletal metsticAside from providing a slinky slim casing, the combination of the metal and plastic would allow HTC to combat the issues that pure metal presents for the radio antenna – i.e. interference and dropped calls, something HT...
Updated: Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro UK release date pushed to July
By TechRadar, published 13-06-2011
Sony Ericsson has opened pre-order on its physical-QWERTY-toting Android handset, the Xperia Pro, revealing its UK price as £349.99. Perhaps you're having trouble picturing the Xperia Pro, in which case simply cast your mind back to February; it's Mobile World Congress, Sony Ericsson is officially unveiling its PlayStation Phone after months of leaks but look beyond, just there – behind the Xperia Play and to the left of the Xperia Neo – yep, that handset there. That's the Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro. It may have been months since its official unveiling, but the Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro is on its way at last - but it's still a bit of a wait, with the Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro release date now having been pushed to "late July".Time goes by so slowly and time can do so muchThe UK price of Â...
Updated: Orange Barcelona heads to UK with Android 2.2
By TechRadar, published 13-06-2011
Orange is set to unleash another own-branded Android handset in the form of the Orange Barcelona. Update: We've heard back from Orange, which reveals that the manufacturer behind the Barcelona is Huawei, rather than ZTE which made the San Francisco. The Orange Barcelona UK price has also been set: it'll set you back £119.99 on pay as you go (plus a £20 top-up, effectively making the price £139.99), or you can nab it for free on 24-month contracts of £15 per month or more. Following the great success of the 2.1-toting Orange San Fransisco, the Barcelona is taking a step up in the world, launching with Android 2.2 (Froyo). Unlike the San Francisco, it comes with a full physical QWERTY keyboard and a 2.6-inch TFT touchscreen; like a budget BlackBerry Bold 9900. Like a jewel in the sunAlso...
Updated: 10 best touchscreen phones for 2011
By TechRadar, published 06-10-2011
Our best touchscreen phone article is constantly updated.Quite simply, touch screen technology is the innovation we now expect to see in some shape or form from every new smartphone that launches. Swapping a button-bashing existence for a softer sensing interface we can press, swipe, pinch and zoom, means we can now do a little bit more than simply stare into that pint-sized screen of ours.If the only QWERTY keyboard you want to see on a daily basis is the one nestled next to your office computer, here's our pick of the best touchscreen smartphones available right now in the UK.1. Samsung Galaxy S2The Galaxy brand has restored our faith in Samsung's ability to make great phones, and with Google's Android OS and some impressive touchscreen technology, the S2 continues that trend.Housed with...
Buying Guide: Best Windows Phone - which should you buy
By TechRadar, published 06-10-2011
With Windows Phone 7, Microsoft went from being a non-entity in the world of modern smartphones to becoming an important player. The old Windows Mobile operating systems had their fans, but they weren't as consumer-friendly as the iPhone and Android devices.WP7 changed all that, bringing integration with Facebook, a clear, touch-friendly user interface, slick multimedia functionality and Xbox Live games and connectivity.Of course, Microsoft didn't forget its roots, either. There's email and Exchange support, and it's the only mobile OS with official Microsoft Office apps. All of this means there's something for everyone, so we've looked at what's best for each kind of owner below.Best for working - HTC 7 ProAs the only phone operating system with Microsoft Office apps available for it, Win...
Review: HTC ChaCha
By TechRadar, published 06-10-2011
Let's get one thing straight: the HTC ChaCha is not the Facebook phone. It's not manufactured by Facebook. But let's get another thing straight, too: the HTC ChaCha is the Facebook experience. And it's even endorsed to a certain extent by the King of the network, Mark Zuckerberg, who gave a sermon about it at the phone's launch.HTC has taken its already winning Sense interface and remoulded it with a big blue 'F' at the centre - something the notoriously quiet Facebook founder went on record as saying he's "very happy" with and, in a nod to the future, how they "look forward to a lot more to come".Rocking the latest Android iteration, Gingerbread 2.3.3 and fully capable of a dance-off with some other 3G-capable Android devices, it's due to hit stores any day now, with a sim-free price tag ...
O2 network down in East London
By TechRadar, published 06-10-2011
O2 has conceded that it has a problem with its network availability in areas of East London and Essex. Users in these areas may be having problems making calls or using data at the moment, although O2 says it is working on the problem. A status update on its website says, "Unexpected issues: We've got a problem that means you can't make calls, use the internet, or send/get emails the east London/Essex area."More downtime for someThe latest outage follows a previous bout of down time due to theft and vandalism at its East London site in mid-May. O2 hasn't said that the current service impairment is down to thieves or vandals this time, although some of the same customers will be affected. Have you had a problem with your O2 reception today? Are these problems turning you off the oxygenated ...
Review: Microsoft Photosynth (iPhone)
By TechRadar, published 06-10-2011
When a stunning vista takes your breath away, your natural reaction, after drinking it in for a few moments, is to want to take the memory away with you to look back on. But a regular photo often fails to capture the scene in all its glory - nothing like actually being there. Microsoft's free Photosynth iPhone app goes some way to rectifying this by helping you capture a full panorama of the view. Now, while there are plenty of apps out there that do a competent job at stitching photos together, Photosynth is in another league entirely. Not only does it help you capture shots that are suitable for stitching, but it combines them pretty much flawlessly - even our discerning colleagues over on sister publication Digital Camera Magazine were impressed. When you've snapped and it has stitched,...
IM for Nokia takes on iMessage and BBM
By TechRadar, published 06-09-2011
Nokia has decided to release a new instant messaging client to take on RIM and Apple's offerings.Dubbed IM for Nokia, this isn't a proprietary client offering, rather an amalgamation of different platforms into one easy space.This means Google Talk, Ovi Mail, Yahoo! Messenger and MySpace IM are all together in a single app.Anything Apple can do...However, while this is a good way to talk to friends across a wide range of applications, this feels like nothing more than a reaction to Apple's iMessage offering, as Nokia Messaging IM has been around for a while already with compatibility with most of the IM offerings.This is probably the fanfare for either a) the IM client moving out of Nokia's laboratories or b) the jubilant announcement that the literally dozens of MySpace IM users are now s...
HTC sees sales up over 100% from 2010
By TechRadar, published 06-07-2011
HTC sales are going great guns, with the Taiwanese company announcing that it more than doubled its May income year-on-year. Consolidated sales for May 2011 came in at T$40.62 billion – that's over £864 million – compared to T$18.82 billion in May 2010 (around £400 million). That's more than double, maths fans. It's also a 5 per cent month-on-month increase compared to April 2011. The arrows are all pointing upIt's not the first time this year that HTC has had financial cause to pop open the champagne: in April it emerged that its 2011 Q1 results saw it overtake Nokia as the third largest phone manufacturer in the world by market capitalisation. HTC rocketed to success with its consistently excellent Android handsets, the latest of which is the 4.5-star HTC Sensation. With the growth...
Windows Mobile 6 to expire on 15 July
By TechRadar, published 20-05-2011
Windows Mobile 6.x's days are numbered as Microsoft will no longer support the OS after 15 July.On that date, the various versions of the OS will gather atop a hill, ready to be welcomed into the big HTC handset in the sky. Or, rather, Microsoft will simply stop accepting new Win Mo apps and application updates from 15 July onwards. RIP Win Mo, we hardly knew yeCustomers will still be able to buy apps, so devs can continue to rake in whatever paltry payoff Windows Mobile apps provide, but this marks the end of innovation on the beleaguered platform. Developers, however, are less than impressed, with many feeling abandoned by Microsoft which has put minimal effort into fixing Windows Mobile marketplace bugs for some months now. While we can understand devs' frustration as one income stream ...
Nokia's Windows Phones may use ST-Ericsson chips
By TechRadar, published 20-05-2011
Nokia's eagerly anticipated Windows Phone handsets look set to be sporting ST-Ericsson chips – according to a senior executive. Speaking to Forbes, STMicorelectronics chief executive Carlo Bozotti, who sits on the ST-Ericsson board, suggested that the Nokia phones will use the company as one of its two chip suppliers. Borlotti stated that ST-Ericsson remained an important supplier for Nokia with 'very close relations' with the company. QualcommCurrently, Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor has been the dominant force in Windows Phone-sporting handsets, due to Microsoft's desire for a consistent offering for the launch phones. However, the company has already said that it will be less strict on which specific chipsets are used going forward.Microsoft's deal with Nokia, and the sheer investmen...
Orange and Barclaycard launch NFC on the high street
By TechRadar, published 20-05-2011
Orange and Barclaycard have announced a partnership to finally make contactless payments a reality for the UK public.The citric network has been talking about SIM-based near field communications technology (NFC) for a while, and is now popping it in the Samsung Tocco Lite Quick Tap edition.This means that in places like Pret a Manger, EAT, Little Chef, Wembley Arena, Subway, Wilkinsons and McDonalds you can simply whip out the ageing handset and pay for any item under £15 using the device.Can't talk darling, paying for lunchUsers can transfer up to £100 onto the Quick Tap app on the phone - although users will need to have a Barclaycard, Barclays debit card or Orange Credit Card to make the payments across, so still ruling out a large number of UK shoppers.Orange has promised the technol...
Orange and Samsung launch NFC on the high street
By TechRadar, published 20-05-2011
Orange and Samsung have announced a partnership to finally make contactless payments a reality for the UK public.The citric network has been talking about SIM-based near field communications technology (NFC) for a while, and is now popping it in the Samsung Tocco Lite Quick Tap edition.This means that in places like Pret a Manger, EAT, Little Chef, Wembley Arena, Subway, Wilkinsons and McDonalds you can simply whip out the ageing handset and pay for any item under £15 using the device.Can't talk darling, paying for lunchUsers can transfer up to £100 onto the Quick Tap app on the phone - although users will need to have a Barclaycard, Barclays debit card or Orange Credit Card to make the payments across, so still ruling out a large number of UK shoppers.Orange has promised the technology ...
HTC: 'Nokia Windows Phone 7 deal will help us'
By TechRadar, published 19-05-2011
HTC's European boss thinks that the company will also benefit from Nokia's agreement to make Windows Phone 7 handsets.Despite the likelihood that the Finnish smartphone giant will become Microsoft's favourite manufacturer, Florien Sieche says that HTC can profit from the platform's raised profile.He told the Reuters Global Technology Summit: "(The Nokia deal) will not change our commitment to Microsoft."With a new player entering, it should actually help to elevate the relevance of that platform ... we actually feel that we should be able to benefit.""The long-term opportunity with Nokia entering will definitely bring Windows back to critical mass."Flyer performing wellDuring the summit Sieche also revealed that the company is pleased with the sales performance of its first Android tablet,...
Google admits Android security flaw, fixing it
By TechRadar, published 18-05-2011
Google has acknowledged a security flaw in its Android operating system and is working on an instant fix to the problem.Last Friday, German researchers published a paper which revealed that Android phone owners were at risk when using certain services like Google Calendar, Contacts and Picassa over public Wi-Fi networks.The researchers discovered that some authentication tokens are being sent unencrypted, over-the-air, putting your data at risk from those snooping on the public network.Google on the caseIn an official statement Google has said it is already rolling-out a fix for the security flaw, which could affect all Android users, except those running Gingerbread."Today we're starting to roll out a fix which addresses a potential security flaw that could, under certain circumstances, a...
Review: Samsung Galaxy Mini
By TechRadar, published 18-05-2011
Samsung is the only manufacturer that can get away with launching variants of one particular device in a series and pricing them to suit different budgets, as it did five years ago with the D500 and its variants the G600 and D900. Now the Koreans are doing it again with the Galaxy Series.The latest addition to the Samsung Galaxy range - topped by the five star Samsung Galaxy S2 (currently number one in our 20 best mobile phones ranking) - is the Galaxy Mini. Almost identical to the Galaxy Fit, it's slightly lighter and has a lower camera quality. It's clear that Samsung designed the Galaxy Mini to look and feel low-end and when it's up on the shelves on the high street, it will fit in well next to the likes of LG's Optimus One and Nokia's C3-05.This touchscreen phone is definitely affordab...
Intel: 'Nokia partnership was a mistake'
By TechRadar, published 17-05-2011
Intel has blamed its ill-fated partnership with Nokia as the reason for delays in bringing its long-promised processors for smartphones.CEO Paul Otellini said called the MeeGo tie-in a mistake, and that the company would have been better-off choosing a different partner."In hindsight, Nokia was the wrong partner to have picked," said the Intel boss.Medfield chipsThe CEO's comments cam as he promised investors that smartphones bearing the new Medfield chips will be available early next year."You'll see the first Intel-based phones in the first part of next year," Otellini added, before going onto say that "phones shipping in the market from major players" from the get-go.Intel had first told the world that handsets would offer the 32nm, smaller, more powerful and more efficient chips by 201...
First Nokia MeeGo handset may launch as N950 next week
By TechRadar, published 16-05-2011
Nokia could be about to launch its first MeeGo handset, dubbed the Nokia N950, as soon as next week.After the handset formerly known as the Nokia N9 reminded us all that it exists by slipping through the FCC last week, it now looks as though developers will get their hands on the mysterious device very soon.Mobile blog Unwired View did some digging into the FCC filing, and discovered that Nokia requested a very short confidentiality agreement – just 45 days, as opposed to normal gagging clauses of 90 days or more. Those 45 days are up on 24 June, meaning we could see a launch towards the end of next month; or sooner, given that there's a MeeGo conference taking place in San Francisco starting next week. Developer's delightUnfortunately, it sounds as though the Nokia N950 will be a dev de...
Updated: Android 2.3 release date: when will you get it?
By TechRadar, published 16-05-2011
Android 2.3 has been announced by Google, and now owners of smartphones such as the Nexus One and the HTC Desire are eagerly awaiting the update.Tthe first phone to go on sale with Android 2.3 is the successor to the Nexus One, the Google Nexus S.Google Nexus One Android 2.3 updateThe Nexus One has already been confirmed as getting the Android 2.3 update in early Q1 2011.The following announcement over on the official Google Nexus Twitter page confirmed the upgrade: "The Gingerbread OTA for Nexus One will happen in the coming weeks. Just hang tight!"UPDATE: As of 23 February 2011, the Google Nexus One Android 2.3.3 update is rolling out.Google Nexus S Android 2.3.3 updateUPDATE: The Nexus S is also getting its update to Android 2.3.3 as of 23 February 2011.HTC Desire Android 2.3 updateWe'v...
Sony Ericsson sees further profit slump
By TechRadar, published 20-04-2011
Sony Ericsson is battling against sliding profits and handset sales, and new figures show the company is still seeing a downturn in key areas.After profits, revenue and handset sales all fell in Q1 2011, the only positive was the slight rise in handset cost, which came in at an average of €141.The main concern for Sony Ericsson is the number of handsets sold - in Q1 2010 it shifted 10.5 million, but in the same period this year that number was down to only 8.1 million, which the company puts down to a reduction in the number of feature phones sold.According to the Guardian, this means that the company is now shifting fewer units than HTC by volume, plopping it down to ninth in the world behind the likes of RIM, Nokia and Apple.Profit is still profitBut onto the good news for the company ...
In Depth: How smartphones and tablets are taking over
By TechRadar, published 16-04-2011
Two years from now, something remarkable will happen: there will be more smartphones in the world than PCs. Technology analysis firm Gartner predicts that by 2013, there will be 1.82 billion smartphones compared to 1.78 billion PCs - and that doesn't include tablets. Apple sold 14.8 million iPads in 2010, and Forrester Research says that in the US, 82 million people will own tablets by 2015. Tablets and smartphones have become incredibly powerful in a very short space of time, with gigahertz-class dual-core processors, decent amounts of RAM and high definition displays appearing in pocket-friendly forms. As the price of such small but powerful devices continues to fall and hardware firms continue to innovate, it's clear that mobile computing is going to be a very big deal for the foreseeab...
In Depth: How smartphones and tablets are taking over
By TechRadar, published 16-04-2011
Two years from now, something remarkable will happen: there will be more smartphones in the world than PCs. Technology analysis firm Gartner predicts that by 2013, there will be 1.82 billion smartphones compared to 1.78 billion PCs - and that doesn't include tablets. Apple sold 14.8 million iPads in 2010, and Forrester Research says that in the US, 82 million people will own tablets by 2015. Tablets and smartphones have become incredibly powerful in a very short space of time, with gigahertz-class dual-core processors, decent amounts of RAM and high definition displays appearing in pocket-friendly forms. As the price of such small but powerful devices continues to fall and hardware firms continue to innovate, it's clear that mobile computing is going to be a very big deal for the foreseeab...
In Depth: How smartphones and tablets are taking over
By TechRadar, published 16-04-2011
Two years from now, something remarkable will happen: there will be more smartphones in the world than PCs. Technology analysis firm Gartner predicts that by 2013, there will be 1.82 billion smartphones compared to 1.78 billion PCs - and that doesn't include tablets. Apple sold 14.8 million iPads in 2010, and Forrester Research says that in the US, 82 million people will own tablets by 2015. Tablets and smartphones have become incredibly powerful in a very short space of time, with gigahertz-class dual-core processors, decent amounts of RAM and high definition displays appearing in pocket-friendly forms. As the price of such small but powerful devices continues to fall and hardware firms continue to innovate, it's clear that mobile computing is going to be a very big deal for the foreseeab...
iPhone 5 to take over September iPod event?
By TechRadar, published 04-12-2011
Supply chain rumours are still rumbling that Apple's iPhone 5 will be subject to some kind of delay.The latest chatter comes from Avian Securities, where analysts are saying that production on the new iPhone won't start until September. A note from the firm reads, "Conversations with yet another key component supplier indicates that production for iPhone 5 will begin in September. "This is consistent with Avian findings in the supply chain in recent months and we believe the consensus view is moving towards this scenario."Mega iPod v Giant iPhoneAn iPhone 5 UK release date of September would put the iPhone 5 squarely into what has traditionally been iPod territory; Apple has always launched its iPod range refreshes at a music-themed event in early Autumn. New iPhones are usually revealed a...
iPhone 5 to take over September iPod event?
By TechRadar, published 04-12-2011
Supply chain rumours are still rumbling that Apple's iPhone 5 will be subject to some kind of delay.The latest chatter comes from Avian Securities, where analysts are saying that production on the new iPhone won't start until September. A note from the firm reads, "Conversations with yet another key component supplier indicates that production for iPhone 5 will begin in September. "This is consistent with Avian findings in the supply chain in recent months and we believe the consensus view is moving towards this scenario."Mega iPod v Giant iPhoneAn iPhone 5 UK release date of September would put the iPhone 5 squarely into what has traditionally been iPod territory; Apple has always launched its iPod range refreshes at a music-themed event in early Autumn. New iPhones are usually revealed a...
Google’s Android anti-fragmentation push is vital
By SlashGear, published 04-01-2011
Reports earlier this week painted an ominous future for Google’s open-source strategy with Android, the company’s mobile device platform. Gone, insiders at OEMs and carriers suggested, was the eager-to-please ambition and flexibility of the early days, back when Google was desperate for market penetration and manufacturer support. Instead, they claimed, Android head Andy Rubin had become a harsh gatekeeper, doling out early access to new iterations of the OS only to those who’ll toe the Google line, attempting to trip handsets that used rival services, and doing it all under the banner of “non-fragmentation.” Open-source lovers wrung their hands; iOS addicts basked in a righteous glow. Android, so the arguments went, was supposed to be our open-source salvat...
T-Mobile Nokia C7 Astound Hands-On [With Symbian^3!]
By SlashGear, published 24-03-2011
We’ve got the brand spanking new Nokia C7 on hand here at CTIA 2011 and it’s one sassy little looker! This phone will be exclusive to T-Mobile and will feature a big fat 8-megapixel camera on the back with dual-LED flash and 720p HD video capture, a 3.5-inch capacitive touch AMOLED display, free fully functional turn-by-turn navigation app, and full access to Nokia’s Ovi Store. Pre-loaded games include Fruit Ninja, Slacker Radio, and your usual run of classics. This phone runs Symbian^3, adding itself to the ranks of other Symbian^3 devices in the USA: N8-00, E7-00, C6-01, and C7-00. NOTE: if you’re a developer and have the N8_00 and C7_00 on your active list for your Symbian^3 app, add C7-00_1 to the list now because it’ll ready to go! This phone will be av...
Dell Venue Pro finally gets UK release
By TechRadar, published 28-02-2011
It's been a long time coming, but the Dell Venue Pro, Dell's Windows Phone 7 handset complete with a physical QWERTY keyboard, has finally got its UK release. The long-awaited handset is out now, with a UK price of £459 (£382.50 plus VAT), which will net you a SIM-free unlocked handset.The handset has been hit by shipping delays, having been promised to the UK before Christmas and then being pushed back to mid-February. As time goes byHere we are at the end of the February and only now is the Dell Venue Pro available to buy. You'll get Windows Phone 7 for your money, on a 4.1-inch OLED touchscreen with a slide-out physical QWERTY below. If the Venue Pro had hit the shelves back in October when Windows Phone launched, it could have been the only QWERTY-toting phone on the market; now it h...
MWC 2011: Hands on: Acer Iconia Smart review
By TechRadar, published 14-02-2011
If you were thinking the Samsung Galaxy S2 was too big, try this out for size. It's a 4.8 inch phone that's only a couple of inches shy of the Galaxy Tab.While it's not massively wide as you can see, the Iconia Smart would find it easier to make conversation with a Dell Streak 5 than any of the new breed of super-Androids. The buttons at the bottom are actually highly tactile and you can get a really decent press on them. Despite initial reservations, we actually rather liked them by the time we'd finished playing with the handset.Not everything about this handset is Smart as you'll see shortly but, despite its size, it still feels and looks like a phone rather than, say, the Dell Streak 5 which really does feel like a mini tablet. Packing Android 2.3.2, the Iconia Smart is probably as big...
MWC 2011: In pictures: ZTE Skate
By TechRadar, published 14-02-2011
The ZTE Skate may not be the highest-spec handset in the world, but it is one of the few whose design is influenced by a skateboard.Set to launch running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), it comes with an 800MHz processor, 5MP camera and an Adreno 200 GPU. With a UK release date of May 2011, we've had a sniff around the ZTE Skate over at Mobile World Congress.There's a hands on review coming soon, but for now check out the handset in a few cheeky snaps.Related StoriesMWC 2011: Steve Ballmer: potential of Nokia Windows Phones 'phenomenal'Exclusive: We're not tribal about ecosystems, says Sony EricssonSamsung Galaxy S2 vs LG Optimus 3DMWC 2011: Samsung Galaxy S Wi-Fi 5.0: In picturesMWC 2011: Hands on: Acer Iconia Smart review
Exclusive: We're not tribal about ecosystems, says Sony Ericsson
By TechRadar, published 14-02-2011
Sony Ericsson has confirmed that it is still open to producing a Windows Phone handset. When questioned about Sony Ericsson's seeming Android bias, particularly in its latest round of Xperia releases which all launched on Android 2.3, Nathan Vautier, Sony Ericsson UK MD, told us that the company is "not as tribal" about mobile phone OSes as some companies are.Android tribe"We believe that the Android environment is the best and most mature ecosystem for us at the moment; but we have an open OS strategy, which includes OSE, Symbian and Android, and a good working relationship with Microsoft," said Vautier in an interview with TechRadar.Reading between the lines, we'd say that means a pretty obvious intent to pursue Windows Phone, and lends credence to the rumours circulating last month that...
Samsung Galaxy S2 vs LG Optimus 3D
By TechRadar, published 14-02-2011
Two of the highlights of this year's Mobile World Congress are the powerful Samsung Galaxy S2 (Galaxy II) and the futuristic LG Optimus 3D. Both step from 'smartphone' into 'super-phone' territory with their next-generation dual-core processors.Both also impress with cutting-edge screen technology, although they couldn't be more different in their execution.So it's hard to measure whether the Galaxy S2 is 'better' than the Optimus 3D. Or vice-versa. But you can get a good feel for which phone you fancy by comparing them side-by-side... SoftwareBoth the Galaxy S2 and the LG Optimus 3D run Android, albeit different versions. Samsung's phone uses Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), customised with the TouchWiz 4.0 UI overlay and Swype text input.Samsung has a few notable extras to the software on the ...
MWC 2011: Steve Ballmer: potential of Nokia Windows Phones 'phenomenal'
By TechRadar, published 14-02-2011
Steve Ballmer talked up the future of Windows Phone during his Mobile World Congress 2011 keynote and revealed that updates to the platform will be coming in the last half of March.Ballmer also hailed the potential of Nokia Windows Phones as "phenomenal" and was joined on stage by Nokia's Stephen Elop - the Nokia boss has faced a great many questions over the last few days since the two companies made their partnershipannouncement."Iconic hardware, unique software...our focus shifts to delivering those first devices and changing the industry," said Elop during a rousing speech to talk up the potential of the partnership.Ballmer also said that Microsoft was targeting "significant volume" of Nokia Windows Phones in 2012."It seems as if the mobile world is moving from a handset battle to a pl...
MWC 2011: Steve Ballmer: potential of Nokia Windows Phones 'phenomenal'
By TechRadar, published 14-02-2011
Steve Ballmer talked up the future of Windows Phone during his Mobile World Congress 2011 keynote and revealed that updates to the platform will be coming in the last half of March.Ballmer also hailed the potential of Nokia Windows Phones as "phenomenal" and was joined on stage by Nokia's Stephen Elop - the Nokia boss has faced a great many questions over the last few days since the two companies made their partnershipannouncement."Iconic hardware, unique software...our focus shifts to delivering those first devices and changing the industry," said Elop during a rousing speech to talk up the potential of the partnership.Ballmer also said that Microsoft was targeting "significant volume" of Nokia Windows Phones in 2012."It seems as if the mobile world is moving from a handset battle to a pl...
Samsung Galaxy S2, HTC Desire HD 2, Desire 2, Wildfire 2 specs leak
By TechRadar, published 02-11-2011
Online retailer Expansys has posted full spec sheets supposedly for the HTC Desire HD2, HTC Desire 2, HTC Wildfire 2 and Samsung Galaxy S2 ahead of Mobile World Congress. Quite a spec haul there, but we wouldn't necessarily put money on these being the real deal. For starters, we're fairly convinced that the HTC Wildfire and HTC Desire refreshes will be named the HTC Wildfire S and HTC Desire S, yet the retailer has them down with 2 as the suffix. Core suspicions Still, some sound about right; the Samsung Galaxy S2, for example, is certainly set to be a dual-core behemoth – but we're incredibly sceptical about the possibility of a dual-core HTC Desire HD2 being revealed any time soon. So, basically, peruse these specifications at your leisure but don't be surprised if they turn out to be...
Android Beats Apple in US Smartphone Share
By SlashGear, published 02-09-2011
Just in case the IDC study showing that smartphones now outsell PCs wasn’t enough of a rush for you, ComScore has a new study out today. It reveals a major upset in the US smartphone market: Android has beat iOS. In Q4, Android made up 28.7% of the US market. iOS had only 25%, while RIM still lead with 31.6%. The BlackBerry-maker dropped 5.7 percent from Q3 to Q4, a troubling sign of times to come if QNX phones don’t get here soon. Windows Phone 7 was down 1.5% to 8.4%, while Palm tumbled a little to 3.7%. The fourth quarter saw a 60% growth, year-over-year, in smartphone ownership. 63.2 million Americans now own smartphones. The holiday season was especially kind to Samsung, who pulled in 24.8% of customers in Q4. Samsung was the only (non-Apple) manufacturer who saw the...
Google launches Priority Inbox for all mobile Gmail users
By TechRadar, published 02-08-2011
Google has updated the mobile version of Gmail to include its Priority Inbox feature, which you may remember from such email services as desktop Gmail. Priority Inbox identifies important messages in your inbox and places them above and apart from other unread mail. Previously, only desktop and Android devices could enjoy the prioritised email goodness, but now all handset browsers that support HTML5 can enjoy the frustration of missing an important email that wasn't deemed a priority by Google. HousekeepingYou'll need to have priority inbox set up on the desktop Gmail, then when you log in to gmail.com from your phone's browser you can choose the priority inbox option from the menu. Unfortunately you can't yet mark messages as important or unimportant from the mobile version.Of course, it...
Nokia E6 gets leaked images, showing off 8MP camera and details of VGA screen
By Thinkdigit, published 02-07-2011
Nokia’s upcoming E6 (E6-00) has now got some leaked images, and, news of sporting a large VGA resolution touch screen. [RELATED_ARTICLE]While it still retains the same form factor as the E71 and E72, and is considered the successor the successful E5, the leaked images of the Nokia E6 show it sport an 8MP camera, possibly the same as the E7, along with LED flash. While it is still a little incredible to believe the resolution will be upgraded from the former nHD (640x360) to nearly twic [...] Read the entire article
Huge Nokia exec slash incoming tips German business mag
By SlashGear, published 02-05-2011
Nokia CEO Stephen Elop is reportedly preparing to significantly shake up the company’s top management, axing big names such as executive VP of phones Mary MacDowell and executive VP of markets Niklas Savander. According to German business magazine WirtschaftsWoche, around half of the Nokia executive board will be replaced, including executive VP of services and mobile solutions Tero Ojanperä, and chief development officer Kai Öistämö. Nokia’s plans for the near future are currently hotly argued, after Elop admitted that the company “must build, catalyse or join a competitive ecosystem” and prompted speculation it would consider platforms other than Symbian and MeeGo. On Friday, rumors circulated that Nokia might adopt Windows Phone 7 in an attempt to jump ahe...
Nokia N8 gets minor Symbian^3 software update and free games
By TechRadar, published 02-04-2011
Nokia has released software update 1.1 for the Nokia N8, Nokia C7 and Nokia C6-01.The Finnish company says that there are numerous tweaks and fixes to the Symbian^3 OS, but not many of these will be "directly visible to end users." Email has had a bit of update love, with map integration for viewing locations of addresses mentioned in the body text, and the option to accept meeting requests directly from email invitations. What exciting times these are for Symbian email fans. Such major newsThe Nokia N8 will have some additional benefits that the other handsets won't see.There's a new edition of Quick Office for new "editing possibilities" and also the ability to zoom in and out of Word documents. The N8 will also come with three new games; Need for Speed Shift, Real Golf and Galaxy on Fir...
Updated: Mobile World Congress 2011: what to expect
By TechRadar, published 25-01-2011
After the sheer madness and reams of shiny gadgets of CES 2011, we barely have time to pause for breath before the annual mobile phone-a-thon of Mobile World Congress 2011 is upon us.While CES saw a near-record number of top end mobile phones released from the Las Vegas jamboree, MWC 2011 still promises to be the place to see all manner of new handsets and tablets.So we've trekked across the digital rumour-space and looked for all the info on what to expect from the Barcelona event - keep coming back as we'll be constantly updating it whenever some new morsel of info or spy shot comes into view.MicrosoftLast year we saw Microsoft unleash Windows Phone 7 officially onto the world in a Barcelona hotel, with Steve Ballmer calling the announcement a 'mile post' in the launch of the company's n...
Catch up: this week's most popular posts
By TechRadar, published 22-01-2011
iPhone 5 is going to be completely redesigned, invisible tanks are heading to the battlefields and the BlackBerry Storm 3 isn't so invisible now that images have leaked. These are just some of the top stories this week on TechRadar.Over in reviews, our in-depth look at Google TV proved popular as did our Motorola Flipout review and our updated Google Nexus S review.Read on for this week's most popular stories on TechRadar…Top five news storiesiPhone 5 set to be 'completely redesigned'Clues about Apple's forthcoming iPhone 5 have been leaked online, claiming that the new device will have a new powerful CPU and feature another redesign.Engadget is quoting 'extremely accurate' sources in saying that not only will the new device land in the summer (in line with every iPhone launch for the pa...
Facebook launches new mobile site for feature phones
By TechRadar, published 20-01-2011
Facebook has launched a new mobile site for feature phones, with the social networking site now easily available on the vast majority of the world's mobile phones.'Feature phones' (essentially any phones that are not classified as smartphones) make up nearly 80 per cent of all mobile phone owners in the US, according to a Nielsen study from last June.While early adopters and tech fans embrace the latest smartphones and apps, it is easy to forget that the vast majority of mobile phone users still don't use or own smartphones.Millions more on mobile FacebookFacebook's latest mobile app for the lower-end phone user will now give millions more users quick and easy access to their Facebook messages, events, pictures, news feeds, profiles and the rest.The app gives users a better, almost smartph...
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Nokia E5 : (7/10)
5 expert reviews
0 user reviews
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Nokia C5-03 : (5.3/10)
4 expert reviews
0 user reviews
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Nokia C3 : (6.1/10)
7 expert reviews
0 user reviews
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Nokia C3-01 : (7.3/10)
3 expert reviews
0 user reviews
