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Showing posts with label NOKIA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NOKIA. Show all posts

Wednesday, 10 October 2012

T-Mobile’s Nokia Lumia 810 – We Go Hands On, But This Phone’s Literally Got No Guts


NOKIA LUMIA
T-Mobile recently announced it would be offering the Nokia Lumia 810 Windows Phone 8 device sometime in the coming weeks, and it had the handset at the Pepcom’s MobileFocus event at MobileCon today. But the hardware wasn’t really the hardware as such – it was a dummy unit with nothing on the inside. But it still showed off some of what the phone will offer users.
The Lumia 810 from T-Mobile comes in both black and cyan variants, and will have a 4.3-inch OLEG WVGA screen that could be very good-looking in practice, one might imagine. There’s also Windows Phone 8, an 8 megapixel rear camera and a 1.2 megapixel front shooter for Skype and other communication apps, which could take very nice pictures, it’s reasonable to assume.
What we do know about the 810 is that it feels quite substantial compared to most contemporary smartphones, like in a way that actually isn’t altogether a good thing. The Lumia 810 could easily use a diet, in fact, and there’s a lot of space taken up around the not-yet-active screen devoted to bezel. It’s a bold, aggressive design choice, and one that could result in a chunky chic appeal, but it could also backfire. In a world where thin and light are the name of the game, this is a phone that stands apart, as you can see by the side-by-side shots with it and the iPhone 5.
Microsoft clearly doesn’t want anyone touching the Windows 8 software before it unveils it later this month. We’ll see what the 810 and its bigger brother the 920 deliver when Windows 8 finally ships.
Update: This device apparently has internals that could theoretically work, according to T-Mo, but in the end it might as well not, since no one who touched it could actually interact with its software or view it running.

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Friday, 28 September 2012

HomeNews by technologyPhone and communicationsMobile phonesLG Optimus Vu 2 announced with same ridiculous display LG Optimus Vu 2 announced with same ridiculous display


The LG Optimus Vu 2 has been announced in Korea as the awkwardly-sized successor to the rather confusing Optimus Vu.
Why so strange? The Optimus Vu 2 sports that same 5-inch, 4:3 aspect ratio display as the original, which makes the phone rather wide and difficult to hold in one hand.
There's a 1.5GHz dual-core processor in the Optimus Vu 2 and, while the chip is a newer model than found in the original, it hasn't gained a boost in speed but RAM has been doubled to 2GB.

Minor updates

The battery has been given a bump up to 2,150mAh and it ships with Ice Cream Sandwich instead of Gingerbread, while the 8MP rear camera and 4G connectivity remain.
The body of the Optimus Vu 2 has been trimmed down to 132.2 x 85.6 mm and weighs in at 159g, but at 9.4 mm in depth it's actually porkier than the 8.5mm Vu.
There's currently no word on the LG Optimus Vu 2 release date and there's no gaurentee it will make it to the UK, whereas the States has a better chance after seeing the Vu arrive under the moniker LG Intuition earlier this month.
If you're over in Korea, and have gorilla sized hands, you'll be able to pick up an Optimus Vu 2 for 966,900 won (around £530/$860).
From LG via Engadget

BMW, VW, Mercedes and Hyundai all sign up to Nokia's maps


Nokia has sealed key deals for its maps – with BMW, Mercedes, VW and Hyundai all agreeing to use its navigation platform.
The Paris Motor Show is becoming increasingly significant in the tech world as manufacturers team up with major names to make our vehicles work more closely with our devices.
Commenting on the deal, Nokia's senior VP for sales and business development Bruno Bourguet expressed his delight at capturing some high profile clients.

Uniquely positioned?

"We believe that Nokia Location & Commerce is uniquely positioned to provide a superior consumer experience which automotive manufacturers as well as other players in the industry can deliver to their customers, and the announcements we are making this week underscore this," he said.
"Drivers today expect to be told the best way to get from A to B but they also want live traffic information, notifications of nearby places of interest and data that helps them drive better and make journeys a pleasure rather than a chore.
"Whether it is a daily commute or a long distance drive, we are delivering on our Connected Car vision to bring a full set of capabilities from navigation to safety to entertainment."
The Sat Nav world is increasingly fascinating as major names like TomTom, Nokia, Google and, so far so unsuccessfully Apple compete for traction.

Thursday, 27 September 2012

Nokia Offers Two New Low-End Smartphones In The Asha Line


Enid Burns for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online
Nokia may have made a commitment to the Microsoft Windows Phone OS, but it still needs some lower-end handsets, including basic phones and low-end smartphones, to bolster its recovery. The Finnish phone maker introduced two new models, the Nokia Asha 308 and Nokia Asha 309, which will be available by the end of the year.
The Nokia Asha 308 and 309 will sell for about $99, excluding taxes and subsidies. This means the phones might actually be available for less from some carriers, pending contractual commitments. Nokia announced the phones in Asia. Nokia markets its Asha line of smart devices in emerging markets.
Nokia’s Asha 308 and 309 are being called smartphones by the manufacturer, however they may fit more into the feature phone category by other standards. The low-end software and hardware are not enough to meet Windows Phone requirements. The phones run Nokia’s Series 40 software platform, which is seen as a low-end OS for handsets, and is not compatible with Windows Phone, Android or iOS to gain access to apps and other benefits.
“The smartphone-feature phone distinction is largely irrelevant in emerging markets. The Asha devices provide all the features most users need, including apps, web browsing and Facebook access,” a Reuters article quotes CCS Insight analyst Geoff Blaber as saying.
The analyst calls the new Asha devices “essential” for Nokia, a company trying to pull itself out of troubles amidst a quickly-advancing market of Android, iOS and Windows Phone devices. “The continued strength of the mobile phone business is a testament to Nokia’s scale and distribution advantages. Defending that business is critical if Nokia’s smartphone business is to weather the storm,” Blaber said.
Both handsets, the Asha 308 and Asha 309, are ZG-enabled devices featuring a 3″ WQVGA capacitive display, multiple home screens, stereo radio, loud speakers and up to 32 GB microSD card support. The multiple home screens, and apps found on each screen, are accessed using Nokia’s fluid “swipe” user interface.
The Asha 309 from Nokia is the single SIM variant, which also offers Wi-Fi. The Nokia Asha 308 is a dual SIM device, which features Nokia’s Easy Swap technology. Asha 308 handsets let owners switch between multiple SIM cards, which is a benefit for those traveling within regions of different standards. The SIM card can be switched without having to remove the battery or turn off the phone. In emerging markets where competing carriers may operate on different standards in different zones, the ability to swap SIM cards to make the phone compatible with a different carrier rather than acquiring additional charges or not being able to get reception, is a feature that might sell a few handsets.
Nokia still relies heavily on the sale of basic handsets. “Although they don’t get as much attention as its smartphones, mobile phones play a key part in Nokia’s future. Mobile phones account for the majority of Nokia’s revenue today and they are also vital for building loyalty with potential smartphones users in the future,” Reuters quotes Ovum analyst Nick Dillon in its article.
Nokia is building on its recovery. Reuters said shares of Nokia were up 1.8% to 2.14 Euros.
In a separate statement from the Asha handset news, Nokia said it would cut 725 jobs at its factory in South Korea as part of its global cost savings program it announced in June.

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i PAD RELESE NEWS DATE AND RUMOURS

iPad 4 release date, news and rumours

UPDATED Will it be theThe new iPad 3 has been out for just a four months, but there are already murmurs surrounding the next iPad release.

Details are thin on the ground regarding iPad 4 specifications and features, but this hasn't stopped new iPad rumours cropping up from various sources.
We've put together what we know so far below. Don't forget to keep checking back for the latest the iPad 4 rumours.

iPad 4 release date: October 2012

There have been reports that Apple will launch two new tablets during 2012: the iPad 3 in March, which turned out to be the new iPad, and then the iPad 4 in October.
The news came via Digitimes which says this information was confirmed by a Taiwanese component manufacturer. The source goes on to say that the iPad 4 will come with killer applications and beefed up hardware to take on various tablets scheduled to arrive in the second half of 2012.

iPad 4 release date: March 2013

That said, Apple does like its uniform, annual releases so don't be surprised if we the iPad 4 release date is actually March 2013, 12 months from the launch of the new iPad.
This release schedule would give the new iPad time to flourish in the market and then slowly move out of the spotlight come Christmas as various Windows and Android powered tablets are released.
This "down-time" for Apple will fuel frenzied iPad 4 rumours as fans start dreaming about what the next generation could offer, culminating in another super-hyped event next March.

iPad 4 features

Little is known about the features and specifications for the new iPad, butsources quoted by iLounge claim it'll be a modest upgrade, with a slimmer body, smaller dock connector and internal improvements to reduce the heat which is produced by the third-gen new iPad.
A rumour that we reported on 26 September 2012 claims that the iPad 4 will feature a wider 16:9 screen (the current iPad is 4:3). Industry analyst Paul Mueller told the Examiner: "I have talked to at least three people close to Apple who say that there are new iPad prototypes that have a 16:9 aspect ratio."

Is the iPad 4 the iPad Mini?

There is speculation that Apple's next tablet could in fact be the iPad Mini.
Currently Apple's new iPad dominates the high-end tablet market, leaving the likes of the Amazon Kindle Fire and budget Android devices to swoop in and meet the needs of the more frugal shopper.
It's thought that Apple won't want to miss out on this low-end market, which has led to rumours that we may see the iPad Mini break cover in October - possibly sporting an 8-inch or 7.85-inch screen and sub £200 price tag.
Those rumours that the iPad 4 will be the iPad Mini gathered pace on 4 July 2012, with fresh reports from Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journalclaiming that the iPad Mini would launch before the end of 2012.
On 31 July, sources quoted by iLounge claimed that the iPad Mini would launch in November with its own debut event, rather than fighting for attention with the iPhone 5.
On 9 July, we reported that Japanese blog Macotakara had cited an unknown source, claiming the new iPad Mini would be a very svelte 7.2mm thick, and come with 3G functionality, with production starting in September, and on 5 August, some supposed iPad Mini case pictures appeared on Chinese blog Sina Weibo.

For the latest iPad Mini rumnours, check out iPad Mini release date, news and rumours. iPad Mini? Will it arrive this year or next?



iPad 4 price

The same report from Macotakara said that the iPad 4 price (assuming that the iPad 4 is the iPad Mini) would be in the region of $250-$350 (around £160-£230).
On 16 July, we reported that the The New York Times, which claimed to have spoken to sources "with knowledge of the project", put the iPad Mini price at "significantly less" than the new iPad, which starts at £399. The same report put the iPad Mini screen size at 7.85 inches, a size rumoured by Digitimes back in March.

Two new iPads

In summary, current rumours suggest that we're looking at the iPad Mini in October/November for $250-$350 (£160-£230), and the next full size iPad in March 2013, with a price comparable to the new iPad that's on sale now.
As we gather and analyse more rumours, we've also put together our iPad 4 wishlist...

iPad 4: what we want to see

By Craig Grannell
While we're waiting for new rumours to roll in, we figured it's time to start complaining about the current iPad and outline our demands for the iPad 4.
Despite essentially being a metal-backed pane of glass with a few buttons, a massive battery and a smallish circuit board, we've hardware-oriented wishes for Apple's next-generation device, which we're assuming is probably also going to be called 'the new iPad', or 'the new, new iPad' or perhaps Apple will return to numbering its tablets and we'll get an iPad 4.

1. Thinner, lighter, faster!

The new iPad is (very) slightly thicker than the previous one (although not the original iPad) and (very) slightly heavier. Through a combination of amazing engineering, technical breakthroughs and unicorn tears, we're dreaming of an iPad 4 that would be as light as a Kindle and as thin as something thinner than an iPad 2; we'd also like the iPad 4 to be faster, because we're demanding like that.

2. More storage

The new iPad has a Retina display, providing the potential for pin-sharp graphics, like those on the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, but over a much bigger area.
This comes at a cost: app file sizes. For example, the revamped GarageBand is a few hundred MB larger than the previous version. Yet iPads remain available only in 16, 32 and 64GB configurations. Would 128GB in the iPad 4 be too much to ask for?

3. Thunderbolt support

Apple's shift to wireless sync has removed one major reason forThunderbolt, but rumours still abound about the high-speed I/O tech coming to iOS, providing compatibility with a new generation of peripherals. Adaptors could be released for legacy kit, further boosting Apple's coffers.

4. Better keyboard support

Steve Jobs hated the idea of a touchscreen computer, because it's an ergonomic nightmare that rapidly makes an outstretched arm shriek with pain. But this is what an iPad and a Bluetooth keyboard turns into.
To fix this, Apple would just need to make some extra keyboard commands baked into iOS, for example to enable app switching.

5. A truly magical screen

A Retina display? How 2010! What about haptic feedback? OK, so we didn't seriously invest in thoserumours, and a 'morphing' screen gives us T1000 nightmares, but it could be useful for feedback when typing and playing games on the iPad 4. And while Apple's at it, a better oleophobic coating that eradicates fingerprints would be lovely.
New iPad

6. A smarter Smart Cover

The Smart Cover, or Mr Flappy as we call ours, needs to be smarter. It looks very swish and clever when the iPad wakes. It's also a reasonably good stand. But it's rubbish when you're holding an iPad and the cover's swinging about and then falls to the floor in comedy slapstick style.

7. Battery and charging improvements

Ten hours of usage from the new iPad is impressive, but that's a best-case scenario. Play some games or watch video and that figure will fall. Apple's hampered by technology, but in a year, who knows? An iPad 4 that lasts for a day on a single charge? Wireless charging? We can dream.

8. Improved speakers

If you want a reality check about the quality of the iPad's speaker, use an iPod touch for approximately ten seconds. The iPad will sound like a Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin by comparison. But with so many great music, gaming and video apps, better speakers - More power! Stereo! - is nonetheless something we'd love to see (well, hear) on the iPad 4.

9. Near field communication

We're not suggesting Apple should add near field communication (NFC) to the iPad so you can wave it around like a massive glass-and-aluminium wallet. But NFC would enable iPads to be more commonly used for taking payments, and NFC across iOS devices as a whole could provide a boost to this emergent technology.
New iPad

10. The same form factor (ish)

'Thinner and lighter' was our first wish, but we don't want 'smaller'. A 7-inch iPad? No thanks. iPad apps are designed for a ten-inch screen, and we're sure Apple doesn't want the box to include iMicroscope and iFileDownYourFingertips.
Similarly, people seem obsessed with binning the bezel, but we like it; the bezel enables you to hold your device without accidental touchscreen presses and without covering on-screen content. One of the iPad's greatest aspects has been strong usability, and we'd hate to see anything compromise that.


GALAXY S3 ABOUT SCREEN

Let's take a minute and talk about the screen: it's beautiful. We almost feel sad that this isn't the first HD screen we've seen on a mobile phone, as it's kind of lost its lustre since the likes of the Nexus, Note and One X have all managed the same trick – but if you've not seen one before and you compare it to a Galaxy S2, it's worlds apart.
If we think back to just four years ago, when HVGA (320 x 480) resolution screens were the norm on phones and 720p TVs were still the plaything of the bigger spenders, it's incredible to think that pixel count has been shrunk down to fit into your palm.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

And that means the 309ppi pixel density is up there with the sharpness of the iPhone 4S, and it makes us realise that while a Retina Display is lovely, 3.5-inch screens just don't cut it any more.
We'll be mightily surprised if the combined popularity of the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S3 don't prompt Apple into a re-tooling of the screen with the iPhone 5, as the contrast ratio, large display and excellent colour reproduction will definitely wow users on the shelves.

A GOOD VIDEO ON THE ABOVE MOBILE
It seems Samsung has tweaked the colour balance on the Galaxy S3 as well – things don't look as saturated as before, which will certainly help entice those that previously were against Super AMOLED before due to the harshness of colours.
There is an issue here for those that like to let the phone handle the display management - the auto-brightness level is too low for our eyes. It's like Samsung is trying to protect the battery a little too much here, and we'd rather have a variety of auto-brightness settings like in the internet browser.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review
This has been overhauled with the new update, giving you a notifications bar option to change the brightness or select auto mode. It's not perfect by a long way - we can't count the amount of times each day we get frustrated with the automatic mode not catching up to the conditions.
When it does work, the brightness is great... but when the brightness drops mid-Temple Run we get hugely frustrated.
It's not too bad in direct sunlight though - the contrast ratio of 3.5:1 Samsung is touting in direct sunlight is just about enough to see what you're doing, and if you're using the camera you can fire the brightness even higher to see what you're snapping.
The same option has been sadly removed from the Video player, so sitting in the sunshine watching Robocop is now no longer a thing to be done with your new Galaxy.
In terms of comparisons to previous iterations of Super AMOLED screens, this is where it gets a little bit technical - we'll try to keep it simple.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

The Galaxy S2 packed a Super AMOLED Plus screen, which means that for every pixel, there were three subpixels - red, green and blue. This meant lovely contrast ratios and cleaner whites - this was noticeable close up.
However, in order to facilitate the much higher resolution, Samsung has crammed in fewer sub pixels per pixel, which means a slightly less 'clean' colour close up.
But what does this mean to you, the user? In truth, not a lot. Power efficiency seems to be very similar to that on the original S2 when it comes to firing the screen, and while there might be more of a skew towards green and blue on the colour scale, in practice this simply results in more natural-looking hues.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

The sharpness is also technically affected, but with such a high resolution there's very little chance of this affecting the way you get to watch your movies or see the web.
Check out our comparison from Galaxy S to S2 to S3 to see what we mean - close up, the colours are more noticeable on the S3 compared to the S2, but this is unlikely to bother most users.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

The original Samsung Galaxy S used a standard Super AMOLED display, which was impressive two years ago.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

Here's the Samsung Galaxy S2 - as you can see, the Super AMOLED Plus offers some very clear colour reproduction.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

The Galaxy S3 does have more visible colour sections within each pixel, but only when viewed at very close range. As you can see, the sharpness is much higher.


Samsung Galaxy S3 review

The Samsung Galaxy SIII - a phone worthy of the hype


By 
122 COMMENTS

PAGE 1 OF 18Introduction and design
Update: We've now spent a few months living day in, day out with the Samsung Galaxy S3, so check out our findings. We've also got the latest version of the software, so we've updated the review with all the fancy new features as well. We have also added our early thoughts on how the Samsung Galaxy S3's specs compare to that of the iPhone 5.
With the latest version of Android, a whopping 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD screen and a whole suite of Apple-beating features, is the new Samsung Galaxy SIII the greatest phone ever?
Samsung has made a big deal about this new phone, not only choosing to launch it at a big and glitzy standalone event in London but also claimingnearly 10 million pre-orders before it's even launched.
The price is pretty palatable for a top-end phone – the likes of Three are already offering it for just £34 a month with oodles of minutes and data, which is already much, much cheaper than any iPhone would ever launch for.
And there are even cheaper deals - it can be had for £28 per month from The Carphone Warehouse with no upfront cost... you can probably find it even cheaper on line but it's a very low tariff level for a top end phone to launch for.
But let's get down to the main question – is this the phone you should be spending your hard-earned cash on?

Design

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is, according to Samsung anyway, 'inspired by nature – it sees, listens, responds, and allows you to share the greatest moments'.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

While this is all a little hyperbolic, the nature theme is certainly present when you handle the phone for the first time.
Brushed polycarbonate – you've got a choice of 'Marble White' and 'Pebble Blue' – adorns the large device, which runs in with dimensions of 136.6 x 70.6 x 8.6mm, despite still having to pack in a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD screen.
We'll lay it out right now: the plastic feeling of the Galaxy S3 won't appeal to all. It feels very lightweight (despite tipping the scales at 133g) in the hand, and some people will read this as feeling a little cheap.
However, it's exactly the same sensation as we found on the Galaxy S2, and given the silly numbers of sales that had, we think there's more than a market for a phone that you'll barely notice in your pocket most of the time.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

But we'll be very clear on this - the Galaxy S3 is not a cheap-feeling phone. It's got a really solid Gorilla Glass 2 front, a well-packaged interior and a more robust battery cover. It's polycarbonate rather than bog-standard plastic, although we're not sure some people will like the more rounded nature of the design.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

However, despite being made of similar material, there's no doubt that theOne X feels more premium in the hand thanks to being a touch more weighty… there's something about something so large being so light that some will find disconcerting.
Amendment: the HTC One X is actually 3g lighter than the S3, but despite carrying both around at once, the S3 still felt lighter, which shows the way texture can affect the way a phone feels in the hand.
There's no doubt in our minds that the Pebble Blue offering is the much more attractive option, as the Marble White looks similar to a low-endGalaxy Mini or similar – the brushed effect is really necessary.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

Compared to rest of the Galaxy line, the S3 has more in common with the original Galaxy S than the S2, with curved edges the theme in the design language. The home button has also been elongated, although the same menu and back buttons remain from the prequel.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

Overall, the effect is much more like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus than anything else – rounded edges, HD screen but with a more minimal bezel to really accentuate the larger screen in the hand.
The button design around the phone has been well thought out in our opinion - for a phone this big it's very difficult to make all the keys accessible, so putting the lock button on the right-hand side rather than the top makes a large degree of sense.
The addition of the lozenge-shaped home button, and its softkey 'Back' and 'Menu' buttons are great additions in our eyes, as it means contextual menus can be found easily without needing to mess around looking for the on-screen icon.
The volume up and down button is parallel to the lock key on the left-hand side of the phone, and also within easy reach when holding the Galaxy S3 in the hand.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

The microUSB slot is placed at the bottom of the phone - easy to find with a charger but it will be interesting to see how it's used when placed in docks and car cradles.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

The battery cover is also made of the same polycarbonate material as the rest of the body. Yes, you read that right - the battery cover is removable!
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

This means that not only can switch the battery in and out - a key consideration for many people - there's also a cheeky surprise in the shape of a microSD slot next to the microSIM port. Expandable memory? This just gets better and better.
This means that theoretically you'll be able to have a 128GB-capacity Samsung Galaxy S3 if you combine the top spec of internal memory (64GB) with the largest microSD card around at the moment (64GB)... making it a mouth-watering prospect for those that love a spot of media.
Samsung Galaxy S3 review

Sure, there are stats that say only 10% of users regularly go over 16GB of storage, but there's always the lower end version of the Galaxy S3 for that... but with HD movie downloads becoming far more prevalent, plus the influx of HD apps, we're thinking more space is an excellent idea.
But overall, in the hand, the Samsung Galaxy S3 feels superb. The design contours well against the palm, and while the screen size may be a little big for some (you'll need a bit of shuffling to reach the upper section of the screen) it's definitely useable in the hand.
So in short: if you don't mind a slightly lighter-feeling polycarbonate shell and you like big HD screens in your pocket, this is a phone definitely worth checking out.
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