What is a Blackberry Phone?

May 13th, 2011 | Blackberry, Mobile Technology

Originally, the BlackBerry was popular with corporations and those who needed connectivity with their businesses.  A handheld PDA (personal digital assistant) device, its primary function centred on email.  Produced by Research in Motion (RIM), most BlackBerry models now come equipped with a mobile phone, making them more desirable to the general public.

Push Email Capabilities

Understanding how the email function works goes a long way in explaining what a BlackBerry is.  Most devices require the user to retrieve their email, which can only happen in a coverage area.  However, with the BlackBerry, email is sent to a recipient’s inbox and ‘pushed’ to the handheld device simultaneously.  Users can view emails immediately without cellular coverage.

Keyboard

The BlackBerry combines the keyboard and trackball together.  It is far easier and faster to get around on the BlackBerry than on other PDA devices.  Not only is there a full QWERTY keyboard, there are numerous shortcut keys with SureType, a predictive typing program, and AutoType, which can be customized for personal data such as an address or frequent usage of common phrases.

Other Features

Considered a true productivity tool, the BlackBerry has a web browser that reads HTML, SVG, WML and XHTML, supports JavaScript and display images.  The BlackBerry offers an Enterprise Server for access to intranet sites, and offers corporations firewall configurations for sensitive material. 

The BlackBerry continues to be the corporate PDA of choice, but with recent applications such as games, a mobile phone and other general-purpose functions, the BlackBerry is appealing to more and more people as their everyday mobile device.

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HTC Incredible S Overview

May 7th, 2011 | Google Android, HTC, Mobile Phone Reviews, Touchscreen

Positioned midway through the HTC line-up, the HTC Incredible S falls between the HTC Desire S and the higher-end HTC Desire HD.  This handset is a successor to the highly touted HTC Incredible, which was a US-only product.  However, the HTC Incredible S deals will finally appear on European shores.

Design

The HTC Incredible S is definitely midsize with a 4-inch screen, but the look is high tech all the way.  The back is encased in rubber and the internals of the phone are visible through sections of the case.  It is an ultra-cool look packed into a slightly heavier (135.5 grams) and larger (120 mm x 64 mm x 11.7 mm) model when compared to its predecessor.  HTC removed the trackball of the original Incredible in lieu of more screen space on the newer phone.

Screen

Users can expect the 800 x 480 resolution standard on these types of smartphones.  HTC equips the device with a Super LCD screen, which preserves battery life longer than old-school LCD displays.

Camera

HTC went for a high-end 8-megapixel camera with twin LED flash and the ability to switch over and record video at 720p.  While there is also a low-resolution 1.3-megapixel camera for video calling, storage is lacking with only a 1.1 GB base storage.  Users will want to add an SD card for video and photo storage.

Battery

HTC really ramped up the battery, juicing it up from 1300mAh to 1450mAh, freeing users from most mid-day recharges.

Interface

No surprises here with HTC continuing to load their handsets with Android 2.2 FroYo.  However, HTC promises an upgrade to the superior 2.3 Gingerbread in the near future.

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Android Sat Nav Apps

May 4th, 2011 | Google Android, Wireless Technology

One of the most coveted features on a mobile phone is an Android sat nav app.  Android sat nav apps come in a wide range and are offered from a slew of different companies, including T-Mobile, HTC and Hero.  Picking the right one for your phone requires a little research.

Nav4All is one of the free sat nav apps available.  It can be downloaded from Android Market.  One of the oldest sat nav apps, it’s more mature than some recent innovations.  It can do full UK postcode matching and the directions are delivered loudly and clearly.  The display is also lauded for being clean and easy to read.  However, the maps can be out of date and many users do not like the multiple menus included in the app. 

Wisepilot has received higher ratings from reviewers.  However, it is a more expensive at 69.95 euros per year.  Internet based, the maps are rendered in real time.  Routes are calculated rapidly.  The app supports full UK postcode matching.  Though pricey, this is one of the most reliable sat nav apps available.

CoPilot Live 8 bridges the gap between the Nav4All and Wisepilot.  It is not as pricey as Wisepilot and more highly regarded than Nav4All.  CoPilot Live 8 costs £26.99 from Android Market.  It can work with or without the internet.  The 3D mapping is clear and easy to read.  It also has some bonus features, like offering petrol prices, weather updates and live traffic information.

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Nokia Mobile Phones – which one to choose?

May 2nd, 2011 | Mobile Phone Reviews, Nokia, Touchscreen

As the largest manufacturer in the world of mobile phones, Nokia has no shortage of impressive mobile devices to showcase.

Nokia was in the mobile phone game back in 2003 with its Nokia 1100 handset.  In 2007, the device became the world’s best selling mobile phone of all time.  That same year, Nokia came out with the Nokia N82.  This was to be the first in its Nseries of phones aiming to pack as many features as possible into one device, and came with Xenon flash.

Nokia mobile phones have since expanded to include a whole host of interesting devices.  The Nokia X3-02, or Nokia Touch and Type, came with email, internet browsing, flash, video recording a host of other features. 

Nokia has sometimes focused on building phones with specific purposes.  It even has a music phone, the X1-00.  The phone sets itself apart by having a huge speaker on the back.  It also has a built-in 3.5mm audio jack so it can be plugged in to speakers or headphones.  The microSD card can support up to 16GB of music.  Nokia claims this smartphone can be used as the primary music player in a home or office.

Next up will be the Astound Smartphone.  The new phone will have an 8 megapixel digital camera with dual LED flash and 720p HD video capture, for high quality pictures and videos right on your mobile phone.  It will allow three screens worth of browsing.

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Palm Pixi Plus Smartphone Review

April 28th, 2011 | Mobile Phone Reviews, Palm, Touchscreen

If you are considering new mobile phones then you might want to look at the Palm Pixi Plus.  This slim and light handset fits easily into a pocket or bag.  Its light size does not mean that is it fragile though, and the Palm Pixi Plus can withstand a little wear and tear.  There are interchangeable covers for this handset, which means you can co-ordinate it to your mood.

The Palm Pixi Plus has a responsive touchscreen and there is a QWERTY keypad for those who prefer it.  The handset uses webOS interface, which is simple to use, making this phone ideal for those who are new to smartphone usage.  Setting up email is a straightforward process and most email services are supported. 

Multi-tasking is one of the most sought after attributes for new mobile phones and the Palm Pixi Plus offers this feature.  The phone is equipped with Wi-Fi so you can easily connect to the internet and browsing is fast and simple.  The 2-megapixel camera takes reasonably good quality photographs and there is ample storage on the phone for images.

It is easy to store music on the Palm Pixi Plus and the audio quality is excellent.  There is a free app on the phone to listen to digital radio stations from all around the world.  There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack that allows you to use any headphones you like in the handset.

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Finding the Cheapest Mobile Phones

April 26th, 2011 | Google Android, HTC, LG, Mobile Phone Reviews

With high-spec handsets such as the HTC Desire HD and Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc available, finding a high-quality device that suits your budget can be difficult.  However, there are plenty of comparison websites that provide details about cheap mobile phones that still offer a decent amount of features.

The many comparison sites available provide detailed reviews and details about deals for all of the latest mobile phones, including the latest LG mobile phones and the latest Nokia mobile phones.  LG and Nokia offer some the most affordable phones on the market, with LG being a particularly good choice for those looking for an affordable smartphone.

Those looking for decent budget Android phones may wish to opt for the HTC Wildfire or the LG Optimus. There is a large selection of deals available for these two feature-packed handsets that enable you to receive everything you need from a smartphone at an affordable price.  You can also browse through a selection of HTC wildfire reviews and LG Optimus reviews to see which device best suits your needs.

In addition to comparing current mobile phone deals, you can also wait for better deals to appear on any handset that you have in mind.  The prices of some handsets tend to drop quickly and many top retailers offer better deals as a result, allowing you to receive your ideal phone at a more suitable price.

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Advantages of HTC Mobile Phones

April 21st, 2011 | Google Android, HTC, Touchscreen

HTC mobile phones not only look stylish they also offer a wide range of impressive features.  They are the ideal choice for those looking for a good quality Android phone that has plenty of features.  With so many HTC mobile phones to choose from, you are sure to find a handset that suits your needs and budget.

One of the main advantages of HTC mobile phones is that they are packed with useful features that are sure to suit the needs of most mobile-phone users.  The HTC Desire HD in particular is an excellent choice for those looking for a stylish phone that offers features such as a camera and a video recorder.  With an excellent quality 4.3-inch display and an 8-megapixel camera, the HTC Desire HD is the perfect choice for those looking for a smartphone that offers good quality pictures and videos.

HTC mobile phones are particularly advantageous for those looking for a smartphone that focuses on social networking features.  The HTC Wildfire, for example, is packed with features that enable you to easily keep in touch with friends and family.  Facebook, Twitter and Flickr features are built into the phone, and you can even download the Android versions from the Android market for easier usability.  The HTC Wildfire also enables you to link your contacts with their Facebook profiles so you can view their status updates from your address book.  There is also the useful Friend Stream feature, where status updates are gathered.

One of the main advantages of HTC mobile phones is that they are affordable, so you can have a good smartphone that suits your needs and budget.

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Android vs iPhone – which one to choose?

April 19th, 2011 | Google Android, iPhone, Touchscreen

Android and iPhone offer some of the most sought after smartphones in the mobile phone industry.  Both offer devices that have impressive features, such as 5 megapixel cameras and large displays.  However, although Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android both offer impressive devices, users may find that one model is more useful than the other.

Whilst the iPhone has some impressive specifications, Android phones are much more suitable for multi-tasking.  Android’s smartphones can run several applications at once, allowing users to receive notifications even when they are browsing the web or listening to music.  If you are looking for a smartphone that offers multi-tasking, an Android phone is a better choice.

Another advantage that Android offers over the iPhone is that Android phones are more reasonably priced.  Apple’s iPhones are packed with a wide range of features, but they are often in a higher price range.  Alternatively, Android offers HTC mobile phones and LG mobile phones at very affordable prices, enabling you to choose a good smartphone that suits your budget.

If you love apps, both the iPhone and the Android have much to offer.  Both offer hundreds of apps including Facebook and Twitter.  However, if you need a device that is user-friendly when it comes to downloading apps and adding widgets to your phone, Android is the better choice.  The Android market enables you to easily download apps, and the customisable home-screen allows you to add widgets and alter the look of your phone.

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Mobile Phone Reviews – Finding the best phone

April 17th, 2011 | Mobile Phone Reviews

If you want to upgrade your current handset, or maybe you have never owned a mobile phone before and are considering purchasing one, looking at the many mobile phone review websites is a good place to begin.  These websites usually come in two forms: technical reviews of the various mobile features and functions and user reviews.  Some websites cover both aspects for easier use.

Technical mobile phone reviews cover the specifications of the mobile handset such as battery life, camera features, internal processor and design.  For those who are technically minded, this is ideal as you can then compare various mobile phones and see which is more suited to you needs.

If however you are not technically minded and just need a handset that is functional and reliable then user reviews are perhaps the pages you should be looking at.  User reviews can often be very blunt, and if a handset does not live up to the manufacturer hype the user reviews will say so.  User reviews will usually contain information such as its ease of use, quirks (such as a slow response touch screen), as well as comparisons to other handsets the user has used in the past.  All of the information in the review will help you to make a more informed decision on which handset is most suited to you.
 
Mobile phone reviews can either steer you towards a handset or away from one.  Whichever way you look at it, they mobile phone reviews are an invaluable resource when trying to make up your mind about what can be an expensive item.

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Nokia Mobile Phones go with Windows

April 13th, 2011 | Mobile Technology, Nokia, Windows Mobile

Microsoft and Nokia mobile phones announced a strategic partnership between mobile phones and the Windows Mobile operating system on February 13th, 2011.  Microsoft entered into the partnership by providing a platform, Windows Mobile Phone, and Nokia will bring its mobile devices that will operate solely on this system.

The partnership will mean that Nokia adopts Windows as their primary operating platform for their smartphones.  Further developments are expected in the Windows Mobile operating platform in terms of the hardware design and language support.  Xbox Live will be used to create applications and games for the whole global ecosystem, including Nokia Windows Mobile.

Searches on Nokia mobile phones is bound to include Microsoft’s Bing, and Nokia will also provide Microsoft adCenter on their new handsets, which will be developed after this collaboration.  It may also be rolled out to older Nokie mobile phones.  Nokia Maps will become part of the Microsoft mapping services.  Maps will be integrated with Bing and AdCenter to offer a unique experience in local search and advertising services.

It is hopeful that opting for a Windows operating system will not slow down the processing speed and multi-tasking feature of Nokia mobile phones.  They could have opted for Android technology for their operating system as most other mobile phone service providers have done.  However, Nokia has a bit of a reputation for being behind the curve in technological advances.

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