Samsung Galaxy Note News

Samsung Galaxy Note @ ocaholic

By TechwareLabs, published 23-05-2012

Hardware Canucks is pleased to present our review of the Samsung Galaxy Note.

By TechwareLabs, published 26-03-2012

Samsung Galaxy Note Review

By TechwareLabs, published 20-02-2012

Samsung Galaxy Note: One Million Shipped

By DigitalVersus, published 01-06-2012

Samsung has apparently shipped 1 million Galaxy Note handsets—that's the big smartphone (5.3-inches) that looks more like a mini-tablet. Presented at IFA and on sale for the last two... Read more...

Samsung Galaxy devices to receive Android 4.0 ICS update by Q1 2012

By Thinkdigit, published 21-12-2011

Samsung has already announced its plans to roll out Ice Cream Sandwich update to its Galaxy devices. However, it did not then provide any time-table for the roll-out. According to the latest reports, the company has now confirmed that it will update the Samsung S II and Galaxy Note to the latest Android OS by the first quarter of 2012. Apart from the S II and Note, Samsung will be rolling out Android 4.0 ICS update to the he Galaxy R, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 7.7, and Galaxy T [...] Read the entire article

AT&T to get Samsung Galaxy Note with different features

By SlashGear, published 16-12-2011

Samsung has sent its Galaxy Note for the States across the pond and it carries model number SGH-I171. The device is apparently different than the international version of the Note that we are familiar with already. Whereas the international version gets the Exynos processor in dual core flavor, the US version is getting a Snapdragon. [...]

Apple rumoured to be making 7.85-inch Mini-iPad

By Thinkdigit, published 16-12-2011

A report by Taiwan-based Digitimes claims Apple is planning on introducing a mini-iPad, because of competition from 7-inch tablets like the Kindle Fire, and smartphone-tablet hybrids, like the Samsung Galaxy Note and Acer Iconia Smart S300. These plans, if true, fly in the face of Steve Jobs’ publically stated belief – that any tablet less than 10-inches big, is not a tablet. The expected mini-iPad has a 7.85-inch display, and will apparently be available by Q4 2012. The report fur [...] Read the entire article

In Depth: Android 4.0 release date: when will you get it?

By TechRadar, published 15-12-2011

With every announcement of an update to Android there comes the same chorus from users - "When is it coming to my phone?" The Android 4.0 release date chorus is getting louder and is becoming punctuated with increasingly rude words as the days and weeks pass, as owners get more and more flustered about the possibility of being denied an update, no matter how small, or how old and incapable their phone might be. Usually the hardware makers keep their plans pretty quiet to avoid angering customers with promises of timelines they can't keep, but in the case of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich there's been a rush of announcements from the phone manufacturers, all trying to make their models appear "future proof" in some way. Here's what's been put on the record by the main Androi...

Apple ban of Galaxy Tab made it a Household Name says AU Samsung Chief

By SlashGear, published 14-12-2011

This week as the Samsung 10.1-inch tablet reaches stores after having been banned for weeks in an Apple injunction to do away with sales altogether, Samsung Australia mobile chief Tyler McGee noted that far from destroying sales, Apple has instead made their Android-based slate a “household name.” A Sydney court lifted the Galaxy Tab sales [...]

Tuesday Shortbread

By TechReport, published 12-06-2011

Eight is Enough AppleInsider reports Asus aiming for tablet sales to eclipse netbooks in 2012 AnandTech on why Ivy Bridge is still quad-core Fudzilla: Trinity yields are good and two new Llanos up for order and Intel to ship Cedar Trail M next year and Intel's SSD 520 Cherryville series comes soon VR-Zone: Intel's mobile Ivy Bridge CPU lineup revealed and notebooks with AMD Radeon HD 7600M listed AppleInsider: Mac OS X 10.7.3 beta supports AMD's next-gen desktop graphics and Apple television rumored to come in 3 sizes, including 32" and 55" Engadget: Ainol launches NOVO7, the world's first Android 4.0 tablet, for $100 plus shipping WSJ: Verizon Wireless makes $299 new norm with Samsung Galaxy Nexus The Verge: Android graphics, rendering, and hardware acceleration explained b...

Angry Birds cross-promote with Galaxy Note for Christmas

By SlashGear, published 12-05-2011

The folks at Rovio are no strangers when it comes to cross-promoting their brand with other gigantic names in the business, this time with Samsung and their Galaxy Note device, showing how even cartoon characters can use this massive in-between the tablet and handset Galaxy Note to cut out images and share them with friends. [...]

Samsung Galaxy Note Review

By Thinkdigit, published 12-02-2011

In a world that is still grappling with the idea of how the smartphone and tablets will co-exist, Samsung has decided to introduce a a model in the slowly growing hybrid category. The limited demographic of tablet users aside, the masses still use their smartphone for most tasks the tablet would do. So where does the Samsung Galaxy Note fit in? Is it a bigger smartphone? Or is it a smaller tablet, walking the same path as the Dell Streak did sometime back. Is it really the perfect compromise bet [...] Read the entire article

First Impression: Samsung Galaxy Note - The monster smartphone

By Thinkdigit, published 12-01-2011

It is big! That is the first reaction the moment the Samsung Galaxy Note popped out from inside its rather slim box. It reminded us of the Dell Streak, which walked down the same path, but apparently came well before its time. This device is aimed at someone who finds the traditional smartphone display (4-inches approx.) too small, but the tablet uncomfortably big as well. The 5.3-inch display does offer the in-between alternative. Maybe this is the niche category that was needed in the gap betw [...] Read the entire article

Review: ViewSonic ViewPad 7e

By TechRadar, published 29-11-2011

Overview At £150, the ViewSonic ViewPad 7e is a low-priced 7-inch Android 2.3 tablet that some might find appealing if only for the flexibility it affords. Similar to the BlackBerry PlayBook in size, with a passing nod to the upcoming (but still not available in the UK) Amazon Kindle Fire, the ViewPad 7e is not nearly as user-friendly. Some apps, including those from Google, are noticeably not available. At the same time, by offering only the basic smartphone version of Android without many extra frills, the basic mechanics of a tablet are all here: touchscreen display, Android apps, movie playback and ebooks. The ViewSonic ViewPad 7e is certainly better than the clunky, confusing ViewPad 10Pro. Available only in white, the ViewSonic ViewPad 7e is comfortable to hold in one hand. At 450g,...

Review: ViewSonic ViewPad 7e

By TechRadar, published 29-11-2011

Overview At £150, the ViewSonic ViewPad 7e is a low-priced 7-inch Android 2.3 tablet that some might find appealing if only for the flexibility it affords. Similar to the BlackBerry PlayBook in size, with a passing nod to the upcoming (but still not available in the UK) Amazon Kindle Fire, the ViewPad 7e is not nearly as user-friendly. Some apps, including those from Google, are noticeably not available. At the same time, by offering only the basic smartphone version of Android without many extra frills, the basic mechanics of a tablet are all here: touchscreen display, Android apps, movie playback and ebooks. The ViewSonic ViewPad 7e is certainly better than the clunky, confusing ViewPad 10Pro. Available only in white, the ViewSonic ViewPad 7e is comfortable to hold in one hand. At 450g,...

Samsung Galaxy Note LTE made official

By SlashGear, published 28-11-2011

Samsung has officially announced the Galaxy Note LTE, the version of its pen-enabled 5.3-inch Android smartphone packing 4G connectivity. Initially expected to go on sale in South Korea, a Verizon launch in the US is not outside the realms of possibility, though the carrier has not yet commented on whether it will be offering the [...]

Review: BlackBerry Curve 9380

By TechRadar, published 24-11-2011

Overview, design and feelAfter playing it cool for a few years, RIM has apparently decided that there's something to this touchscreen phone lark after all, releasing a budget all-touch device in the shape of the BlackBerry Curve 9380. In the last few months we've seen a touchscreen added to the Bold in the form of the BlackBerry Bold 9900, an update to the Torch line in the BlackBerry Torch 9810, and a new, all-touch addition to the Torch family in the BlackBerry Torch 9860. Now it's the Curve family's turn, even though we thought it was doing fine without touch in our BlackBerry Curve 9360 review. Instead of taking the Bold route and adding touch capability to the screen above the keyboard, RIM has been somewhat more aggressive with the BlackBerry Curve 9380. The keyboard's gone completel...

Review: Updated: Nokia Lumia 800

By TechRadar, published 18-11-2011

Overview, Design and FeelUPDATED: We've now updated the software on our review device to match that available at release for consumers, so take a look at our updated findings, complete with star rating.The 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.The 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 Windows Phone spec list. brightcove : 1276810377001The CPU, however, increases from the 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 to the 1.4GHz MSM8255 Snapdragon/Scorpion which certainly helps add...

Review: Updated: Nokia Lumia 800

By TechRadar, published 18-11-2011

Overview, Design and FeelUPDATED: We've now updated the software on our review device to match that available at release for consumers, so take a look at our updated findings, complete with star rating.The 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.The 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 Windows Phone spec list. brightcove : 1276810377001The CPU, however, increases from the 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 to the 1.4GHz MSM8255 Snapdragon/Scorpion which certainly helps add...

Daily Roundup: 2011-11-13

By Bjorn3D, published 13-11-2011

Cases, PSUs, Coolers Noctua NF-P14 FLX at Hardware-F​actory.com Gelid GX7 CPU Cooler Review at XtremeComp​uting Peripherals Samsung Galaxy Note Smartphone Review at t-break Sandberg PowerBank 8000 Portable Battery Review at RWLabs Misc Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Quick Review at Dra

Review: Samsung Galaxy Note

By TechRadar, published 11-11-2011

Overview, Design and Feel.Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Neither. It's a tablet. Or a phone. Or both. We really don't know – but it has some of the best specs around and Samsung's hoping this will ship by the bucketload.The Samsung Galaxy Note is a phone / tablet hybrid that doesn't really sit in any category - we've reviewed it as a smartphone simply due to the fact it can make calls, but Samsung is definitely trying to create a new category of device with this 5.3-inch screened behemoth.It's funny how mobile trends can change. Just a few years ago, manufacturers were falling over themselves trying to outdo each other to to provide the smallest handset in the world. Motorola got them pretty thin with the RAZR line and Samsung's own D500 was titchy. brightcove : 1268512853001Then something...

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...

Samsung Galaxy Note hybrid launched in India at Rs. 34,990

By Thinkdigit, published 11-02-2011

Samsung has launched the Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread-running Galaxy Note in India, following a scheduled webcast today, pricing it at Rs. 34,990. The massive phone, bearing a 5.3-inch display, is also well-endowed, with a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, and 1GB of RAM. The company calls it a smartphone-tablet hybrid, one that will give users freedom from multiple devices. The Galaxy Note’s 5.3-inch display has a 1,280x800 pixel resolution, a first for a mobile phone, and supports stylus input v [...] Read the entire article

Review: Alcatel One Touch 990

By TechRadar, published 31-10-2011

Overview, design and feelSome phones are all about power; others affordability. Alcatel's One Touch 990 (or OT-990) falls firmly into the latter category, as you'd expect given the company's reputation as a purveyor of budget phones. So the question we're asking here isn't what exciting tech helps this rival Samsung's Galaxy S2, HTC's Sensation, Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc, or any of the other powerhouses in our 20 best mobile phones list.Rather we're concerned with whether it's money well spent. Especially when the world contains the likes of Orange's budget titan, the San Francisco. If you read our review of it, you'll know we lost our heart to that phone because of its amazing competence given its paltry cost. Other rivals worth bearing in mind are the INQ Cloud Touch, which excels at so...

Samsung Galaxy Note Coming 2 November

By DigitalVersus, published 28-10-2011

  With its 5.3-inch screen, the Samsung Galaxy Note is in many ways the missing link between the touchscreen tablet and the smartphone. The Galaxy Note will be hitting O2,...

Galaxy Nexus vs White Galaxy Note Hands-on

By SlashGear, published 27-10-2011

Samsung has just given the Galaxy Nexus its European unveil, along with the white Galaxy Note, and we couldn’t resist putting these two rare Android smartphones up close for a video comparison. Both have their distinct appeal: the Galaxy Nexus is the first Ice Cream Sandwich device, of course, bypassing TouchWiz for the pleasures of [...]

Galaxy Note S-Pen SDK in Dec; OmniSketch & ComicBook! incoming

By SlashGear, published 27-10-2011

Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Note S Pen SDK, the toolkit to allow developers to code apps for the pen-enabled phone/tablet hybrid, will be released in December. Meanwhile, the company has also revealed a selection of new pen-enabled third-party apps for the Note: OmniSketch, ComicBook! and Sooner Workplace. OmniSketch is familiar from the iPad, [...]

Samsung’s white Galaxy Note revealed

By SlashGear, published 27-10-2011

Samsung kicks off its Galaxy Note European tour in London, UK, today, showing off the 5.3-inch Android smartphone-tablet-hybrid on the eve of its European release. The company has also whipped out a surprise, in the shape of a white Samsung Galaxy Note, rather than the black version that debuted at IFA 2011 last month. Aside [...]

Samsung Galaxy Note to arrive in India by November

By Thinkdigit, published 27-10-2011

Samsung will be launching its Galaxy Note smartphone in India on November 2, according to a recent report by IBNLive. The Korean consumer electronics giant will also be live streaming the launching event on that day, between 12:30 and 13:30. Pricing is still under wraps. The Galaxy Note was first introduced to the world back in September, and was launched only in a few markets across the globe. The Galaxy Note certainly has a unique form factor, with its massive 5.29-inch display, the largest o [...] Read the entire article

Samsung Galaxy Note hits UK November tips retailer

By SlashGear, published 21-09-2011

The Samsung Galaxy Note will land in the UK in November, one retailer has revealed, with stock of the 5.3-inch Android smartphone/tablet hybrid expected late in the month. Likely to be priced at around £500 plus tax ($783), according to Clove, the dual-core device was one of the stand-out handsets of IFA earlier this month, offering both [...]

In Depth: Samsung sells sound to beat 'saturated market'

By TechRadar, published 09-06-2011

Samsung talks up home cinema"We've got a saturated market where most people have more than one flatscreen TV - and people aren't forking out on a new one just to make it smart," says Chris Moseley, AV product manager at Samsung.So what to do? Sell 'em a home cinema, of course - and preferably one that includes 3D capabilities and Samsung's Smart Hub.Away from the Galaxy Tab, the Slate, the Samsung Galaxy Note and a vast array of Smart Hub innovations - including the launch of a YouTube 3D app - a rather quieter corner of the Korean giant's IFA booth in Berlin saw some intriguing home cinema 'solutions'. We use that term wisely since the two systems that really caught our eye - the HT-D7100 and HT-D7200 - might upset some old hats. But, as Moseley explains to us, these 2.1 systems a...

Samsung: Galaxy Note hits Europe Q1 2012, US afterwards

By SlashGear, published 09-03-2011

Samsung has yet to officially announce Galaxy Note release dates, leading to some confusion yesterday, but the company’s execs were at least able to give SlashGear a window. When we met with Samsung earlier today to get a more in-depth fondle with some of the Note’s more interesting features, they told us that it’s expected to [...]

Samsung Galaxy Note: Inking, editing, benchmarks, more [Video]

By SlashGear, published 09-03-2011

Samsung’s Galaxy Note has arguably been the product of the show here at IFA 2011, and so we couldn’t resist another stop by to check out some of the details of the smartphone/tablet hybrid. Much of the appeal is Samsung’s custom software, including surprisingly powerful video and photo editing apps together with digital notetaking that [...]

Samsung GALAXY Tab 7.7 and GALAXY Note are not bound stateside for now

By phoneArena, published 09-02-2011

Reportedly, a Samsung representative has said yesterday that the Samsung GALAXY Tab 7.7 tablet and GALAXY Note smartphone are not meant to be sold in the U.S. just yet. The company's plans...

Samsung says “no plans” for Galaxy Tab 7.7 and Galaxy Note in the US [Updated]

By SlashGear, published 09-02-2011

Our man Chris Davies wrote earlier this week that the carriers might kill the Galaxy Tab 7.7 thanks to the fact that the tablet has voice calling capability. Davies reckons that the carriers in the US won’t appreciate that voice calling feature because it might make some users cancel that smartphone plan rather than having [...]

IFA 2011: Hands on: Philips 46PFL9706H review

By TechRadar, published 09-02-2011

With every TV brand in the galaxy making deep, sustained booming noises about 3D at the moment, it's a breath of fresh air to have Philips focus in on something else.Yes, the flagship Philips 46PFL9706H is a 3D TV. Yes 3D looks spectacular and yes it's going to be expensive - €2299 (£2023) to be precise.But the most impressive thing about this telly is the contrast. It's absolutely fantastic. Philips claims the contrast ratio is 15,000,000:1 which would make it the blackest and also the brightest TV at the show. Whether that holds up in lab conditions remains to be seen, but to say the picture on this thing is striking would win the EISA award for biggest understatement at IFA 2011.The immense contrast between the whites and the blacks owes a lot to Philips' new Moth Eye anti-reflection...

IFA 2011: Samsung Galaxy Note Hybrid Smartphone with S Pen

By DigitalVersus, published 09-02-2011

Is it a small tablet or a big smartphone? Well, the 5.3-inch Galaxy Note is somewhere in-between the two, as Samsung boldly ventures into a whole new product category. Last...

Samsung Galaxy Note vs Tab 7.7 vs Galaxy S II

By SlashGear, published 09-02-2011

This week at IFA 2011 in Berlin we’ve been given the opportunity have quite a few hands-on looks at products from a handful of vendors, but it’s the Samsung stand that’s got us most interested as their newest line of products are so very comparable to one another. This week revealed to us two brand [...]

Samsung intros 5-inch (!) Galaxy Note smartphone, 7.7-Inch Galaxy Tab

By Thinkdigit, published 09-01-2011

Berlin, Germany—Samsung expanded its Galaxy family with the announcement of a 7.7-inch Galaxy Tab tablet, and the Galaxy Note, a smartphone that blurs the tablet-phone line with its sprawling 5-inch screen and bundled stylus for quick memo-taking, or what Samsung terms "free-idea capturing." The Galaxy Note combines a Galaxy Tab tablet with a Galaxy S smartphone and adds the benefits of pen and paper, the company said in a briefing here at IFA.   Running Android 2.3 Ging [...] Read the entire article

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, Galaxy Note, and Wave 3 revealed by Unpacked app

By SlashGear, published 25-08-2011

Samsung may have inadvertently revealed three of its upcoming products when they released their Samsung Mobile Unpacked teaser app on Android Market. The app is meant to reveal Samsung news and events as they develop at next week’s IFA 2011, which is the largest consumer electronics show in Europe and takes place in Berlin, Germany [...]

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, Galaxy Note, and Wave 3 are revealed thanks to Samsung's Unpacked app

By phoneArena, published 25-08-2011

one person managed to do some snooping around and uncovered a trio of new logos residing within the Samsung Mobile Unpacked APK. In fact, we’re greeted to three very distinctive devices – the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, Samsung Wave 3...

Review: Updated: HTC Evo 3D

By TechRadar, published 24-08-2011

UPDATE: We've now re-reviewed this phone for the UK market, so check out our findings below.It seems like there are a bazillion Android phones on the market, which means any phone with a brand new feature seems like a colossal improvement. The latest of these big steps forward was the 'glasses-free' 3D screen on the LG Optimus 3D. Now splashing down is HTC's Evo 3D, with 3D features intended to be less alarming those on the Optimus 3D.We've got a cheeky little video of the HTC Evo 3D if you want to see the phone in action ahead of our full and in-depth review:In fact, at first glance, you might mistake the Evo 3D for any other slightly chunkier Android phone with a bright screen and HTC's Sense user interface. The problem is that the Android line-up has recently moved on to greener pasture...

In Depth: Asus Eee Pad Slider: what you need to know

By TechRadar, published 18-08-2011

We love Asus's Eee Pad Transformer, so we can't wait to get our hands on its Slider sibling. As the name suggests, the Asus Eee Pad Slider has a slidey bit - a display that reveals a proper keyboard - but what else is inside, and what's it going to cost? Let's find out.Asus Eee Pad Slider specificationsAsus has revealed all: the Eee Pad Slider specs include a 1.0GHz dual-core NVIDA Tegra 2, a full QWERTY keyboard and USB port, SRS surround sound, a 10.1-inch WXGA (1280x800) screen and 1GB of RAM. There's a choice of 16GB or 32GB of storage, twin cameras - 1.2MP on the front and 5MP on the back - 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1. The panel is an Apple-style Intelligent Plane Switching (IPS) job, delivering a wide 178-degree viewing angle.Asus Eee Pad Slider softwareHardly a surprise, this: the...

Samsung to introduce letter-based naming scheme for Galaxy smartphones

By Thinkdigit, published 16-08-2011

Following the suit of Nokia, Samsung is set to come up with a new naming strategy for its Galaxy smartphones. The makers of Galaxy S II will now name their future Galaxy devices with single letters – 'S', 'R', 'W', 'M' and 'Y'. The 'S' class will denote Samsung's flagship device followed by 'R', 'W', 'M' and 'Y' as the sub categories. The classifications, 'R', 'W', 'M' and 'Y', are based on the specs and prices of the devices. As you can see in the diagram, S sits on the top and denote [...] Read the entire article

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...

Android 4.0: what you need to know

By TechRadar, published 08-12-2011

We've had Android 2.3 Gingerbread. We've had Android 3.0 Honeycomb. Next up: Ice Cream Sandwich, the next version of Google's Android operating system. Although it's possible that Ice Cream Sandwich will be given a lower version number, such as Android 2.4, we think the scale of the upgrade makes it more than a mere point release - so our money's on Android 4.0. No matter what number Google gives it, the next version of Android brings new features, new hardware and new ways to play with your Android kit.Here's what you need to know.Android 4.0 release dateGoogle says the Android 4.0 release date will be around Thanksgiving in the US, which means it should ship just in time for the all-important Christmas shopping binge this year.Android 4.0 phonesSpecs for what could be the Google Nexus 3 ...

Gartner: Android takes top smartphone OS spot

By TechRadar, published 08-11-2011

Gartner has released its report into mobile phone sales for Q2 2011, revealing that Android is now the top selling OS.The results show that the Google-made OS increased its market share to 43 per cent from 17 per cent last year, while Apple hit 18 per cent – not bad considering the sheer volume of Android handsets compared to iOS phones. Nokia also managed to cling on to the top manufacturing spot, although its share has fallen to 22 per cent of the market thanks to sales of 97.87 million smartphones in the three months from April to June. Top of the pops Gartner notes that the Finnish company has managed to "reduce levels of held stock, partly by cutting prices on older products", a tactic that has helped it keep the top spot. It's bad news for RIM and Windows Phone though; RIM saw its ...

Hands on: Samsung Galaxy S Plus review

By TechRadar, published 08-11-2011

We've managed to nab some time with a weird new phone: the Samsung Galaxy S Plus. We're not sure that we can even call it a new phone, as it's essentially the Samsung Galaxy S with a slight tweak under the hood.The phone itself bears a striking resemblance to the original Galaxy S - it's the same chassis if we're honest, apart from the fact the rim around the edge is now a glossy chrome rather than the darker silver offering we were treated to before.The rest of the phone is almost identical, with the weight ever so slightly lower than its predecessor, which sadly means no flash on the 5MP camera... still. It's unforgivable really to have a phone that will cost towards the higher end of the scale without this basic feature.The operation of the Samsung Galaxy S Plus is noticeably faster tha...

Review: BlackBerry Bold 9900

By TechRadar, published 08-10-2011

The BlackBerry Bold 9900 comes as something of a shock. You see, for years, BlackBerry has, in a sense, been catching up. That's not a dig at its parent company – it's practically royalty in push email and corporate handset circles. But it has been rare for RIM to lead the way. Cameras, internet browsing, HTML emails – all were included on RIM's phones years after they'd become standard fare on other handsets. For recent examples of decent phones that didn't really push the envelope all that far, just take a look at the Bold 9780 and 9700.But the Bold 9000 finally offers some cutting-edge tech, and in an attractive package to boot. Its 1.2GHz processor, high-spec touchscreen, brand new OS7 and HD video camera are all specs we never really expected a BlackBerry to have before the next m...

Apple also suing Motorola over Xoom

By TechRadar, published 08-10-2011

Apple is suing Motorola in Germany over the design of the Motorola Xoom and its similarities to the iPad, according to small print another court case. The notes were spotted in Apple's complaint against Samsung over the Galaxy Tab 10.1, which saw sales of Samsung's tablet suspended in Europe as the courts granted Apple a preliminary injunction. The Motorola Xoom could go the way of the Tab 10.1 in Europe if the courts rule in favour of Apple again, although the notes do not clarify whether Apple has requested an injunction in this case. Xoom, and the tablet's goneThe Motorola Xoom has another thing in common with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1; both tablets run Android Honeycomb. Apple isn't shy about going after its Android-running competitors; but with the iPad such a runaway success, it do...

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 ...

HTC Desire Android 2.3 update enters testing phase

By TechRadar, published 30-06-2011

HTC has announced that its long-awaited Gingerbread update for the HTC Desire has entered internal testing. The update will provide the HTC Desire with a slightly stripped-down version of the software, with some apps having to be abandoned to free up memory required by the Gingerbread update. It's been a rollercoaster ride for Desire owners; HTC had originally promised the update, then decided it couldn't deliver it and then changed its mind again a day later, saying that it would be bringing the update out after all. Gingerbone of contentionThe latest update from the company reads: "Hi all - We're excited to share that we are testing our build of Gingerbread for HTC Desire and will start doing quality assurance for it this week. "When we have an update on availability we'll post another a...

Google Updates Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Limited Edition to Android 3.1 Honeycomb Officially

By SlashGear, published 20-06-2011

Though we already technically let you know about the update in this post previously, it’s important to note that today Google has made it official by mailing each on of their 3,000 recipients of the special Google I/O Limited Edition version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 an update notice. This notice states that the [...]

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 ...

BlackBerry Playbook comes to Carphone Warehouse a day early

By TechRadar, published 06-10-2011

Anyone who's itching to get their mitts on a BlackBerry PlayBook should pop down to Carphone Warehouse where they'll be selling the tablet a day earlier than anywhere else. That's right, you can enjoy a whole 24-hours of exclusive PlayBook time before the great unwashed get in on the 7-inch QNX action. Carphone Warehouse is offering the BlackBerry PlayBook from 15 June at Selfridges on Oxford Street, Westfield, Manchester Trafford, Bluewater and Bristol Cribbs. PlayBookOther retailers will be left scrabbling for customers when the official BlackBerry PlayBook UK release date hits on 16 June. The BlackBerry PlayBook UK pricing was also recently revealed; the 16GB model will set you back £399, the 32GB model £479 and the 64GB version will be £559. For your money, you'll get full-Flash-ena...

Updated: Windows 8 tablets rumours: what you need to know

By TechRadar, published 26-05-2011

Microsoft's been pushing tablet computers for the best part of a decade, so you can imagine how happy the iPad's success makes them. But Microsoft doesn't give up easily, and Windows 8 tablets are apparently imminent. So what's Steve Ballmer going to be shouting about when he shows them off?Windows 8 tablets' release dateIn December 2011, the New York Times wrote that Microsoft would unveil tablets running Windows 8 at CES 2011 in January.The NYT credited an unnamed source for the leak, which suggests that Microsoft's keynote will be enlivened by the arrival of the next generation of Windows, as well as Samsung and Dell tablets. As it turned out, no Windows 8 tablets were shown at the show.However, the Windows 8 release date may be sooner than you think, with a beta in summer 2011. That me...

Samsung forced to show five unreleased phones to Apple

By TechRadar, published 24-05-2011

A judge has ruled that Samsung must give Apple access to some of its mobile phones and tablets that are yet to be released for sale. Judge Lucy Koh has ruled that Apple deserves limited early access to the handsets as part of its case against Samsung for patent and trademark infringement. The product samples and packaging that Samsung must provide to Apple include those of the Samsung Galaxy S2, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Infuse 4G and 4G LTE or 'Droid Charge'.Apple claims that Samsung's recent products have been deliberately designed to look like the iPad and iPhone, and that its app icons are also too similar to the fruity manufacturer's. Not judgement dayAlthough she allowed Apple access to Samsung's materials, Judge Koh was quick to point out that the action has no bearing on her...

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,...

Apple to release iPhone 4S - with 'minor updates'?

By TechRadar, published 16-05-2011

The new iPhone from Apple looks set to only be an incremental upgrade after an analyst noted the new model will likely be called the iPhone 4S.In a similar move from the iPhone 3G to the 3GS (which saw only a slight processor improvement, video camera and compass added) the iPhone 4S will only feature slight spec upgrades, according to Jefferies and Co. analyst Peter Misek:"According to our industry checks, the device should be called iPhone 4S and include minor cosmetic changes, better cameras, A5 dual-core processor, and HSPA+ support," he wrote.This is the tale of a new iPhoneThese claims of 'better cameras' have been corroborated by leaked images of the new cameras from Apple.pro to be used in the next version of the phone - the iPhone 4S will reportedly have a separate flash from the ...

This Week in Mac|Life

By TechRadar, published 13-05-2011

If it's good enough for Oprah it's good enough for Google. At this year's Google IO Conference, the tech giant gave out special edition Samsung Galaxy Tabs to attendees and we "borrowed" one from one of our developers to photograph along side the iPad 2.Microsoft purchased Skype for more money than even Oprah is willing to give away. While the latest Skype updates for Mac have been less than stellar, this news might push some Skypers over the edge. No worries, we found some alternatives to the VoIP service.Plus, we found 10 cool keyboard shortcuts for your Mac to help make you a super user. Imagine how impressed your nerd friends will be. Yeah, pretty impressed.FeaturesGallery: Samsung Galaxy 10.1 vs. iPad 2While you were at home wondering how to get into one of those Oprah Winfrey-style G...

Ofcom: 4G might not solve UK data issues

By TechRadar, published 05-12-2011

Ofcom has published its report into 4G into the UK, looking into the real-time effect the next-gen tech will have on data users.The study aims to "understand the realistic capacity improvements of 4G relative to 3G" and has found that despite the data speed and traffic management improvements, the inevitable explosion in smartphone, dongle and tablet usage might mean networks will still struggle to keep up.Ofcom is keen to point out that while by 2020 we can expect speeds of nearly 3Gbps, the ability to get anything like those speeds out to users will rely largely on networks solving the issue of concentrated amounts of data use, such as at train stations or in office blocks.Getting ready for 4G"Our results show that 4G gains in cell spectrum efficiency will not be enough to keep pace with...

Updated: Windows 8 tablets rumours: what you need to know

By TechRadar, published 05-09-2011

Microsoft's been pushing tablet computers for the best part of a decade, so you can imagine how happy the iPad's success makes them. But Microsoft doesn't give up easily, and Windows 8 tablets are apparently imminent. So what's Steve Ballmer going to be shouting about when he shows them off?Windows 8 tablets' release date isn't imminentIn December 2011, the New York Times wrote that Microsoft would unveil tablets running Windows 8 at CES 2011 in January.The NYT credited an unnamed source for the leak, which suggests that Microsoft's keynote will be enlivened by the arrival of the next generation of Windows, as well as Samsung and Dell tablets. As it turned out, no Windows 8 tablets were shown at the show.However, the Windows 8 release date may be sooner than you think, with a beta in summe...

iPhones found to track users' every move

By TechRadar, published 20-04-2011

The Apple iPhone has been found to be saving details of the handset's location at all times, complete with latitude and longitude co-ordinates and timestamps. As if that wasn't Big Brother enough, this secret file is copied to the users' computer every time the device is synced.It seems that the data storage began after the iOS 4 software update, since when Apple has been logging where you've been and when. Nanny stateThe news has sparked privacy concerns because the data, once transferred to a computer, is fairly easy to access by anyone who gets their hands on the machine. The two developers, Alasdair Allan andPete Warden, who discovered the secret iPhone tracking have started a site to visualise the data found on users' handsets.They note that the other major issue is that Apple is "pas...

Acer Liquid Metal - A lot of potential, but not a lot of power [Review]

By Thinkdigit, published 03-11-2011

With the Liquid Metal Acer is taking yet another stab at the Android based smartphone market. After the Liquid and the stylish Liquid Ferrari, the Liquid Metal now steps up as the latest option for the buyers. It is interesting to note that for the price point of around Rs 20,000, the Liquid Metal will face a lot of competition. Samsung introduced the Super LCD version of the Galaxy S and positioned it at just less than Rs 20k and such powerful specs make it an awesome deal. Motorola’s Def [...] Read the entire article