Is SIM only the way to go?

With the likes of the iPhone 4, HTC Desire HD and the newest Windows Phone 7 mobile phones demanding either high prices or a lengthy and expensive 24 month contract, is one of the many sim only deals a better way to go. The likes of O2, T-Mobile, Orange and Vodafone all offer sim only contract deals, but shop around and you might find something even better.

For example, Tesco Mobile offer a brilliant 30 day contract sim only package. For just £15 per month you get 500 minutes of talk time, unlimited texts and 500MB of data allowance. This is very appealing to many as you are not committing to a long term contract. This leaves the user free to change phones when a new one is launched and take their sim card and number with them. It also allows easy changing to another provider if a better deal comes along.

On a personal note, when the iPhone first came out I signed up for a contract and was really annoyed that a new model of iPhone came out before my contract had run its entirety. Ever since I have only ever used sim only deals and purchased my handsets elsewhere.

New Mobile Phones for Christmas

Throughout the first half of 2009 we have been given some really nice choices when it comes to mobile phones. The iPhone was updated to the new speedy 3GS. We have the HTC Magic and Hero, if you want to give Google some loving. Then for the masses, we have the likes of the Samsung Jet, aiming for that mass consumer appeal. As we near the holiday season, the moby manufacturers are not letting up. There are some gems coming that may well make it into your stocking.

First up we have the Palm Pre. This is a funny one this. For those in the know, Palm has gone through some really rough times. The PDA was no more and many say that the Pre is their last chance to survive as a company. When they released the handset in the USA, things were not that great, with potential customers experiencing less than awesome customer service. That aside, it is a nice looking handset. Like a smooth pebble, with a slide-out keyboard. You get a nice user interface too, with multi-tasking. Music, photos, videos, GPS, wifi, bluetooth, universal search and a nice calendar to boot. It seems very slick, but will the performance be acceptable. More than that, here in the UK, O2 have got an exclusive on the Pre. This is bad news for many, as their 3G network is not exactly the greatest.
For a more mainstream phone, but with a twist, we have the Samsung i7500. Also known as the Galaxy, this handset will not be that cheap. It does stand a good chance of opening up the Google Android platform to the masses. Android is a really nice mobile platform. It has multi-tasking, some really good applications available in 'Market' and excellent mail and texting apps. Where the Galaxy scores is in the specification that Samsung have given us. a 3.2-inch glorious AMOLED screen. Speed freaks will love the 7.2Mbps HSDPA support. Whilst multimedia junkies will revel in the 8GB of internal memory and ability to add a futher 32GB with a MicroSD card. Add to this, Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, GPS, wifi, 5 megapixel camera and you can see that it offers up a lot. If it isn't on the Galaxy out of the box, then the Android Market will cater for your Twitter and other social networking needs. This is definitely a mobile phone to watch.
The wildcard for me in this seasons line-up is from INQ. They are releasing their INQ Chat 3G is the company's first qwerty-style phone. There is also the more compact INQ Mini 3G which provides an entry-level social mobile ideal for the price-sensitive prepay market. The INQ Chat 3G was developed in response to consumer and operator demand for a qwerty-style keypad device from INQ. It has a new email client developed by INQ that incorporates free push Gmail - removing a cost for push mail typically borne by operators or passed on to consumers.
Both of these handsets will appeal to a mass market. The current trend is social networking and both of the INQ handsets will not disappoint on that front. Twitter, Facebook, IM, Skype and web-based email services like Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail and GMail are all catered for. If you want a cost effective solution, then watch out for these two.
It is going to be an exciting run up to Christmas for sure. With all this choice, where will your money go?

 

INQ to launch two new 3G Mobile Phones

Yesterday, INQ Mobile took the next step in its mission to bring easy-to-use mobile internet to the mass market with the launch of two new 3G Social Mobiles complete with internet-based Twitter and media sync capabilities. The new mobile phones offer high-spec functionality without the hefty price tag - shaking up the market by giving operators a unique proposition - a 3G social mobile with the speed, usability and suite of applications capable of driving data usage in the mass market.

The INQ Chat 3G is the company's first qwerty-style phone, while the compact INQ Mini 3G expands the range and provides an entry-level social mobile ideal for the price-sensitive prepay market. They complement the award-winning INQ1. The INQ Chat 3G was developed in response to consumer and operator demand for a qwerty-style keypad device from INQ. It has a new email client developed by INQ that incorporates free push Gmail - removing a cost for push mail typically borne by operators or passed on to consumers.
The INQ Chat 3G comes complete with the expanded suite of INQ applications; Facebook, Skype, email, IM and Twitter.For the two new phones, Twitter joins the suite of communications applications that INQ has already woven into the heart of its social mobiles: which include Facebook, Skype and Instant Messaging. Working closely with the Twitter team, INQ has developed an authentic Twitter application for both its new Social Mobiles. After the initial log in, Twitter will be 'always on'. Consumers can send tweets and retweet via the internet rather than using SMS. With the INQ Chat, a specially designed Twitter widget will deliver Twitter updates straight to the home screen.
The INQ Mini 3G is a slimline Social Mobile that offers Twitter, Facebook, IM, Skype and web-based email services like Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail and GMail. It brings the usability that INQ is known for to a new form factor. Like the INQ Chat, the INQ Mini offers impressive capability at a fraction of the price of other application-rich devices. Both phones have plug and play HSDPA modems enabling high-speed wireless broadband on PCs and Macs. The INQ Mini 3G and the INQ Chat 3G represent a new design direction for the company; both can be customized with a range of seven coloured backs.
An interesting excerpt from the press release is the following; "INQ is also introducing seamless media syncing between its devices and PCs or Macs. The software, powered by doubleTwist, syncs music from iTunes and WMP straight to your INQ mobile and, unlike most other sync solutions, doesn't require the customer to give up using their favourite media player on their computer. The new mobiles from INQ will also be able to sync video and photos." iTunes compatibility, yes!
Both the INQ Chat 3G and INQ Mini 3G will be available in Q4 2009... expect to see a review on Geekanoids in due course.

 

New Windows Mobile Phone OS for Christmas 2009

With the advent of all these uber cool mobile phone handsets, we want some phone OS love too. Yes, we have the iPhone OS and Android, but Windows Mobile 6 seems to be shrouded by complexity. Head on over the The Inquirer and check out this video of the new, super cool, Windows Phone OS. It looks like their Zune interface, but made all nicey nicey for mobile phones. It was also pretty exciting to hear that it'll be offered as an upgrade on the likes of the HTC Touch Diamond 2. The second surprise is that we should see it just before Christmas 2009.

HTC Hero to hit the UK 21st July

If you are fed up with all things iPhone, then you should be aware, very aware, that there is a rather sexy looking Android offering hitting the UK mobile phones scene. HTC are giving us oodles of quality in their new Hero phone, which runs the Google Android operating system.
This little darling has a 3.2-inch TFT-LCD touch-sensitive screen, which is ripe for playing back the supported MPEG-4, H.263, H.264 and Windows Media Video 9 movie files. You also get MP3 playback, a 5.0 megapixel color camera with auto focus, plus Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. I almost forgot to mention the internal GPS and Compass.

As if that wasn't enough, you can also download a whole host of applications from the Android Market, which is accessed right on the handset. This gives you access to superb games and utilities to further enhance the handset.

It takes a different standpoint from the iPhone. If you are familiar with the Apple device, you will know that applications are presented as a single screen (or multiple screens) of icons, you tap one and launch the application. To post something to Twitter, you tap the icon, type your tweet, then close the application and get on with something else. HTC have added an overlay to the Android OS called 'Sense'. This gives you up to seven home screens, which you can personalise with different apps, widgets and feeds. So, Twitter can occupy a whole screen, constantly updating and informing you of new tweets. No need to launch the application, it is just always on and looking for those important updates.

There is a whole lot more to the handset than I have mentioned here. It is due any day, either in a graphite grey colour on contract from Orange, or in white Sim Free from various resellers for around £400.

The video reviews are online, you can find them on the links below. A full review of this handset will appear later this week. Many thanks to Clove Technology for supplying the Hero.

Video coverage;
Part One - Unboxing & Goody Bag
Part Two - Performance & User Opinion
Part Three - Teflon coating, camera & gallery app
Part Four - Widgets, widgets & more widgets

Orange brings Blackberry 8120 PAYG to UK

Orange announced last week that it will be bringing the BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8120 to its Pay As You Go (PAYG) customers. The smartphone, which provides exceptional phone; email, messaging, organiser, web browser and multimedia capabilities, will be priced at £145, with customers now able to take out a BlackBerry® Internet Service that provides email, messaging and web access whilst on the move. The new offering comes as a result of the growing demand for a BlackBerry® smartphone with PAYG service.

The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 allows users to connect to Facebook®, MySpace®, Flickr™ and Windows Live Messenger (MSN® Instant Messenger), meaning you’ll never miss out on a friend’s update or party invitation. Webmail users are also catered for, with easy access to Hotmail®, Yahoo!® Mail and Gmail®.

To take advantage of the Orange PAYG BlackBerry smartphone offer, customers must first purchase the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 for £145, which is exclusive to Orange in indigo. They can then choose one of Orange’s existing PAYG Animal packages, offering a choice of free rewards before taking out Orange’s PAYG BlackBerry Internet Service for just £5 per month, on a monthly rolling subscription. I am new to the Blackberry service, but will be picking one up to try. Also hoping that the £5 per month gets me unlimited use of Facebook, Flickr and Messenger. I have also asked Orange when this will be available to order, as the website still says coming soon. I will update this post when I have the info.

More discounts from Proporta for Nokia N95 users

A double whammy of offers from Proporta today, with a massive 50% off two of their Nokia N95 cases. The two choices on offer are the Alu-Crystal Case for the Nokia N95 or N95 8GB. Use the codes below at checkout to claim your discount.

50% discount off Proporta Alu-Crystal Case (Nokia N95) with promotion code N95USERS
50% discount off Proporta Alu-Crystal Case (Nokia N95 8GB) with promotion code N958GB

DataWind - PocketSurfer 2 Pricing and Dates

DataWind, today announced the launch of the PocketSurfer2, an ultra-thin, ultra-portable internet communications device. PocketSurfer2 is a handheld device that delivers the full power and original graphic intensity of the internet rapidly and wirelessly to the palm of your hand, for free.

The PocketSurfer2 allows you to browse the web in its original HTML layout, with full graphics, Java support and other complex web functionality on a 640 x 240 colour widescreen display. An integrated mouse pointer and a full format, backlit QWERTY keyboard makes it the most usable hand-held web device around. PocketSurfer2 fits easily into a pocket or bag and delivers the real web, just like you’re used to at home or at work. The rich user experience of the PocketSurfer2 offers a real alternative to consumers tired of the limited functionality, unfamiliar content and small screens on mobile phones or smartphones.

It doesn’t hang about either, with page-load times of under seven seconds over GPRS thanks to DataWind’s patented acceleration technology, you’ll be flying around the web just as you would at your desk. Comparative devices regularly take up to two minutes to download similar web pages. At its launch event and select trade shows, DataWind even offers an industry-wide speed challenge to illustrate its claim as the fastest mobile handheld web access device.

Suneet S. Tuli, CEO of DataWind, commented, “Our goal was to deliver the real web, fast and free. With PocketSurfer2 mobile users can surf the internet anytime, anyplace and enjoy the same rich media graphics and browser functionality of the desktop experience. This device is going to revolutionise the way we work, play, communicate and take advantage of the wireless web.”

Pricing and availability
The PocketSurfer2 is priced at £179.99 and will be available in high street stores, and independent consumer electronics and mobile phone stores throughout the UK starting August 16th, 2007. Additionally, the PocketSurfer2 will also be available through online retailers and television direct marketing. From July 25th, 2007, pre-orders can be placed through Amazon UK to obtain first delivery before high-street availability.

PocketSurfer2, Key Features:

  • Independent self-contained unit with built-in GPRS modem and SIM
  • GPS location information
  • Lithium polymer battery
  • 5 hours battery life for active usage, and 5 days standby
  • Built-in high performance antenna
  • Transreflective backlit display
  • 640 x 240 VGA colour
  • Mini USB charger
  • Mouse pointer
  • Backlit QWERTY keyboard
  • Sub 7 second page-load
  • Web browsing in original layout
  • Weight – 174 grams
  • Dimensions - 152 x 75 x 15 m