Skype arrives to Apple iPhone, Screen Shots Included…. March 31, 2009
Posted by celluloco in Applications, iphone, skype, skype mobile.add a comment
Skype kept to its promise and released the long awaited official Skype application for the iPhone. One of the most popular IM clients is available for free from the App Store as of today. Having several iPhones at hand we were quite happy to give this newbie a spin and share with you our first impressions. The most important thing to note seems to be that the Skype app is a no-go for jailbroken iPhones. When installed on one it constantly crashes, becoming virtually useless. Also calling through 3G is impossible at this stage (both SkypeOut to other phones and regular Skype to Skype calls). We read several reports suggesting that iPhones running on the OS 3.0 beta but than again the application is pretty unstable on this version too. On the other hand using the application the way it is meant to be used (or rather the way Apple meant for it to be used) – over Wi-Fi on non-beta firmware – is a very positive experience indeed. It launches very fast and is generally really responsive with audio quality way better than what the third party apps for the iPhone can offer. The Skype app itself consists of five tabs for contacts, chats, call, history and my info. Contacts are sorted in alphabetic order with blocked ones sent to the end of the list. The search option is very effective, as it looks throughout the names much like on the desktop computer version of the app. In case you have too long a contact list you may also opt for seeing the online users only. Contacts tab • viewing a profile • skype call are not supported over 3G but only with Wi-Fi connection The chat section lists all chats chronologically with the newest on top of the list. When a single chat is selected a profile image appears next to each message which helps a lot for the visual perception but takes more space on the screen with less room for text. The date and time of sending of each message also appear here. Unlike the desktop version however older chats cannot be deleted from the chat list.
Chat tab The call tab needs no further explanation as it is quite simple – access to the contacts, green/red call key and the correction key. The SkypeOut call pad • talking via the speakerphone is also available The history tab reveals the call history with dialed, missed and received calls. Again calls are listed chronologically with the newest on top. Pressing a name from the log gives direct access to the caller profile with call and chat shortcuts. You can easily clear the entire call history should you find the need to do so. My info tab allows the user to edit their entire profile, change their status, buy Skype credit, online number or voice mail. Changing a picture of your profile is as easy as it gets – make a new one with the camera or choose existing photo from the ones available in the photo albums. My info tab • changing the online status Some nice touches to the application allow the user to use the loudspeaker or the headphones for making a Skype call. While we certainly find the official Skype application quite nice we simply cannot let trough its drawbacks. First of all, it somehow manages to drain the battery even faster than using the GPS. About two hours of keeping Skype online with the display switched off for the most part, except for two short voice calls via Wi-Fi network used almost half the battery. Another great disadvantage is the lack of a landscape keyboard. You shouldn’t also look for smilies – there isn’t any. There is no incoming message alert too so if the display is switched off, you will be only be signaled of incoming calls. Quite strangely incoming calls are not signaled when you are using Skype through 3G no matter if the display is on or off. The final shortcoming of the Skype app we noticed is that an incoming SMS message or call (regular network one that is) turns off the Skype. At least after a call the app logs back in automatically. The settings menu is quite bare with the only configurable option being whether you want or not Skype to log in automatically once started. So that’s about as much as we can tell you at this stage. The rest is left for you to find out by downloading the app from the App store – it’s not like it’s going to cost you anything after all.
AT&T gets heavy on messaging with 6 new QWERTY handsets March 31, 2009
Posted by celluloco in ATT, LG, Nokia, samsung, Touch UI.add a comment
Samsung announced 6 new entries to its mobile phones portfolio today. The emphasis is quite obviously on texting with all 6 of their new offerings featuring full QWERTY keyboard. The leader of the pack is Nokia E71x, followed by three Samsung handsets – Propel Pro, Impression and Magnet and two LG devices – Neon and Xenon.The Nokia E71x isn’t really any different from its European sibling, save for the new paintjob. The bar is the slimmest smartphone to date and sports a 2.36″ 16M color QVGA display.
Nokia E71x
It will also feature a GPS receiver a 3 megapixel auto focus camera and of course – HSDPA and Wi-Fi connectivity. A built-in microSD card slot will allow expanding the internal memory with up to 16GB worth of additional storage.
The Nokia E71x will be available in the following weeks across AT&T stores for 150 US dollars on a 2 year contract.
The Samsung Propel Pro comes as a direct successor of the Samsung A767 Propel, extending its functionality quite extensively. Running on the Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard it packs Wi-Fi, GPS and a 2.55″ square display with a resolution of 320 x 320 pixels.
Samsung Propel Pro
The Samsung Propel Pro has a 528 MHz CPU and 128 MB of RAM. Its other important features include 3G with HSDPA support, microSD card slot, Bluetooth, USB and a 3 megapixel autofocus camera.
You can find the Propel Pro in the AT&T stores starting from April 14. In order to walk out with it you will have to part with 150 US dollars and sign a two-year contract.
Next in line is the side-slider Samsung Impression. Its highlight feature is the 3.2″ AMOLED touchscreen of WQVGA resolution, which according to AT&T is a first for the US. In addition to it the handset comes with quad-band GSM and dual-band UMTS with HSDPA support.
Samsung Impression
The other key features of Samsung Impression are Bluetooth with A2DP, microSD card slot and a 3 megapixel camera with video recording capabilities.
The Samsung Impression will be available from April 7 for 200 US dollars on a two-year contract.
The Samsung Magnet is a simple offering, targeted at the younger audience. Sporting great messaging capabilities thanks to the full QWERTY keyboard it will be the most affordable of the bunch. However AT&T haven’t yet published the full specifications of the device so all we can tell you is that it will be an entry-level offering.
Samsung Magnet
The Samsung Magnet will hit the shelves in the coming weeks.
LG Neon is an exact replica of the LG KS360, which we reviewed not too long ago. It is a mid-ranger that catches the eye with bold colors and quirky controls. Its main features include a 2.4″ display, a 2 megapixel snapper and Tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support.
LG Neon
FM radio is also onboard and so are stereo Bluetooth, microSD card slot and FM radio.
The Neon will be available quite shortly for 100 US dollars on a two-year contract.
The LG Xenon comes with haptic feedback for improving the touchscreen experience. The quad-band GSM and dual-band UMTS (with HSDPA support) handset sports a 2.8″ 65K color WQVGA display.
LG Xenon
Its other features include 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, USB and a microSD card slot.
The LG Xenon will be available shortly across AT&T stores but its pricing still remains to be disclosed.
Nokia E71x
Samsung Propel Pro
Samsung Impression
Samsung Magnet
LG Neon
LG Xenon
Music-centered Samsung M2710 and M2310 leak March 31, 2009
Posted by celluloco in M2310, Samsung M2710.add a comment
leaked online today. Looking like trimmed-down versions of the M7610 Beat DISC, Samsung M2710 and Samsung M2310 are obviously all about music.
Even though the two newbies don’t have the feature pack of their bigger brother they still managed to catch our eye with their sleek design.
Samsung M2710 is a slider, sporting a standard 3.5 mm audio output jack, Bluetooth and a 2-megapixel snapper. A must for every music phone, there will also be a memory card slot aboard.
Samsung M2710
Samsung S2710 will also feature FM radio and accelerometer sensor. Most probably the latter will be used for some kind of shake control, like the Samsung M3200 Beat s.
The flip – Samsung M2310, has media control buttons on the front panel packs EDGE and Bluetooth support, FM radio and memory card slot. A camera is also available but its pixel count is yet unknown.
Samsung M2310
Both new member of the Beat family are destined for the Brazilian market but there is no information about their pricing yet.
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic gets new firmware update March 31, 2009
Posted by celluloco in Nokia, Symbian S60, Touch UI, XpressMusic.add a comment
Today Nokia released new firmware update for the 5800 XpressMusic. Being quite a major release it brings improvements in a number of areas. According to Nokia it should improve the performance and the user interface as well as add some new applications.
The new firmware version brings in the Mobile Dictionary and Application Update Apps to the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. The first one offers you voice playback and text-to-speech, supporting 38 languages.
As the name suggests Application Update manages the new updates for your installed apps, making them easy to keep up to date.
The 5800 XpressMusic new firmware revision also brings two new camera features. The first is the burst mode, which allows the primary camera to take multiple photos with a single key press. The second is enabling the secondary camera to take photos. Up until now it could only be used for video-calling.
As usually lots of bug-fixes and performance improvements complete the change log. According to Nokia the 5800 XpressMusic handsets that get the new firmware should have faster user interface and greater download speeds.
Considering the enormous popularity of the 5800 XpressMusic it’s hardly surprising that Nokia are rushing to fix all those irritating bugs that plague its first S60 full touch handset. Despite some hardware issues it had recently, the handset is selling in volumes, making it quite likely that this is not the last firmware update it will see.
LG GD900 Crystal S-Class UI and multi-touch support confirmed March 31, 2009
Posted by celluloco in LG, Touch UI.add a comment
Today LG unveiled some more details about the LG GD900 Crystal. The unique transparent keypad doubles as a touchpad and the handset will also support multi-touch. It also become clear that the keypad is made of glass, rather than plastic.
The LG GD900 Crystal will run the LG’s S-Class UI with a lot of touch related goodies. The handset will feature multi-touch input as well as gesture support. This means that features like the two-finger zoom we saw on the Arena will be available for the Crystal users too.
There will also be some new staff on the LG Crystal. For example writing an ‘M’ would launch the MP3 player and drawing a circle controls the volume.
LG GD900: see-through keypad
We are also more than pleased to know that the GD900 will have haptic feedback. The LG GD900 also has handwriting recognition, which isn’t too frequent on phones with capacitive screens.
Some improvement is done in the web browsing department too. The GD900 will offer ‘mouse mode’ for a more convenient browsing experience. This means that you will be able to control a virtual mouse with your touch keypad, much like you would do on a laptop.
The LG GD900 Crystal will hit the European and Asian shelves in May but its pricing is yet unknown.
Say hello to the sleek and shiny Sony Ericsson T707 March 30, 2009
Posted by celluloco in Sony Ericsson, t707.add a comment
It’s not the first time you’re seeing the Sony Ericsson T707 on our site since this little baby was spotted in the wild only a few weeks ago during a Sony Ericsson event in China. Well, now it’s as official as it gets since the handset has just been announced by the company with the help of the tennis star Maria Sharapova.
Maria Sharapova The smart T707 flip will come with a 2.2″ QVGA main display and a smaller scratch-resistant monochromatic one – on the outside. Sony Ericsson T707 official photos Also aboard the T707 is a 3.2-megapixel fixed-focus snapper with cell-id geotagging, HSDPA and Bluetooth support and a music player with gesture control. The Sony Ericsson T707 sports an M2 card slot and as Sony Ericsson say it is supposed to get along well even with microSD cards. Say what? Is this the beginning of the end of M2? More Sony Ericsson T707 photos The Sony Ericsson T707 is expected to start shipping in Q2 2009 in three color versions – Mysterious Black, Spring Rose and Lucid Blue. As usual with Sony Ericsson handsets, there’s no word on pricing yet.
Slim Samsung B7300 pops up, runs WinMo 6.1 March 30, 2009
Posted by celluloco in Rumors, samsung, Touch UI, Windows Mobile.add a comment
The sleek Samsung B7300 is the latest leak concerning a Samsung handset. This time around it’s a Windows Mobile phone, which however has inherited the looks of the Samsung S8300 UltraTOUCH, which will obviously be their 2009 styling.
Samsung B7300 leak photos
From what we see of the images, the Samsung B7300 will have a large display and apart from the standard WinMo interface will also implement the latest TouchWiz UI, which allows for a nice customization of the homescreen.
Samsung B7300 leak photos
Besides the 3 megapixel auto focus camera, Samsung B7300 clearly sports a microUSB slot and a microSD card slot.
Currently we don’t know whether Samsung B7300 will be released for the European market.
Google Mobile app brings voice search to BlackBerry March 30, 2009
Posted by celluloco in BlackBerry, Mobile Applications.add a comment
The latest version of Google Mobile App is already available for download for BlackBerry users. With it, you’ll be able to enjoy all the goodies that have only been available to iPhone OS and Android users.
The features that the new Google Mobile app introduces to the BlackBerry owners are voice search and My Location. The first of those allows you to initiate a Google search without ever needing to touch the keyboard. All you need to do is speak the desired search string while holding the Call key – as simple as it gets.
The My Location feature enables users to make searches based on their current location. This means that when you need a place to eat nearby you no longer have to type “restaurant near X”, you just type “restaurant” and the Mobile App will give you a list of places in the vicinity.
The Google Mobile app is available to all devices running BlackBerry OS 4.1 or later with the search by voice available on all versions subsequent to 4.2.
The bad news is that the BlackBerry Storm is not yet supported but this should be added in the near future.
You can download the Google Mobile App from here.
New color for Sony Ericsson Idou, black turns to silver March 30, 2009
Posted by celluloco in idou, Sony Ericsson, Symbian S60, Touch UI.add a comment
Days after we wrote about a large photo gallery of the Sony Ericsson Idou we stumbled upon something interesting – a new color, namely silver. This isn’t as exciting as, say… a final name for the phone but it’s reassuring to see some progress to keep our interest.
According to a few lexicons on the Internet, “idou” roughly translates from Greek to “behold” or “see”. Given the impressive 12 megapixel camera and large 3.5 inch touchscreen, it’s quite a fitting name. So far, the XPERIA X1 is the only Sony Ericsson handset that breaks the letter plus number naming scheme but that may soon change.
Sony Ericsson Idou in silver and in black
As for the OS – there’s nothing new aside from the UI tweaks visible in screenshots. Nonetheless, we’re anxious to see what changes the Symbian OS will go through with its new open-source status.
Check out our overview of the Sony Ericsson Idou from the MWC, complete with a video of the UI. 
Motorola planning to release A1210 MING March 30, 2009
Posted by celluloco in a1210, ming, motorola, Touch UI.add a comment
The now elderly Motorola A1200 MING smartphone is obviously going to receive a refresh. A larger screen, bigger resolution and a 3 megapixel snapper will update the current MING line later this year.
The rumored Motorola A1210 MING is easily the successor of the the Moto A1200 MING, which was announced back in 2005.
The Motorola A1210 MING will sport a 2.8-inch touch display with QVGA resolution, better 3 megapixel camera, FM radio and 64MB internal memory, expandable via microSD slot. The connectivity package includes tri-band GSM with EDGE support, Bluetooth and USB.
The design remains the same – flippable transparent lid with a large touchscreen underneath and the Linux-based OS, we’ve seen on the other recent members of the MING family. The new Motorola A1210 targets the Chinese market and will become available later this year. There is no word on pricing yet.
