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Motorola Droid Razr

By Cheryl | Posted in Android, Mobile | November 16, 2011 – 6:57 pm

There was a lot of buzz surrounding the Droid Razr before its release, so as it hits UK shelves, how does it match up to expectations?

It seems like every week we hear of a new Android phone coming on to the market, but why has the Droid Razr caused so much buzz? The phone is stylish and most importantly light. At just 7mm thick, this Motorola phone is ideal for people on the go.

The handset is black and comes complete with a front facing 1.3 megapixel chat camera and a rear 8.0 megapixel camcorder. Screen size is always a main factor when people are choosing a phone and they should be happy with the 4.3-inch screen delivering a 540 x 960 pixel resolution. The battery life also seems to be of a good quality, offering approximately 12.5 hours talk time.

Although there has been a lot of talk about the size, the handset is average for most phones now, and it looks like the company are looking to play on the ‘Razr’ thin aspect.

One thing this smartphone is missing is the latest Android OS. The phone comes installed with Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread). But fear not; all users have been promised an upgrade to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) in early 2012.

Specifications
1.2Ghz dual core processor
1GB system RAM
16GB internal RAM
4.3-inch screen Super AMOLED display
7.1 mm thickness
8-megapixel real camera with LED flash, autofocus and 1080p video capture
Android Gingerbread
WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G/4G LTE

HTC EVO 3D

By Cheryl | Posted in 3D, Android, Mobile | July 29, 2011 – 10:25 am

HTC EVO 3DIt’s not often I look at a mobile phone and think ‘I’ve got to have that’; but that all changed when I caught a glimpse of the new HTC EVO 3D.

Being a big fan of HTC, in fact I currently have the Desire model, I have watched them bring out one impressive model after another, but could this be the one to top them all?

The biggest difference with this device is that its is capable of 3D; making it one of the first of its kind to use the technology. Whether it 3D images your after or even 3D video, this little device can handle it all, and you can easily output your media to your 3DTV using a HDMI cable and watch them on the big screen.

For the OS Android’s latest update, Gingerbread, is installed.

Design

Design-wise the phone is very stylish and follows the look of previous HTC handsets. The only colour appears on the rear of the device which appears as a trim around the camera; in the US this is red, but it looks like the European market may be limited to gold.

HTC Watch

The HTC Evo 3D comes with HTC Watch installed, giving users access to 2D/3D movies and TV shows available to buy, rent or download. Unfortunately, HTC have confirmed that there won’t be a huge selection of content available for the handset initially. There is a chance the device could come with free movie, The Green Hornet, which is what US customers received.

Specifications

1.2GHz dual-core processor
Display: 4.3-inch 3D touch screen
Dimensions: 126 x 65 x 12.1 mm
Weight: 170g
Memory: 1GB storage, 1GB RAM
Front camera: 1.3 megapixels
Camera: 5 megapixels
HD video recording: 2D/3D videos with up to 720p resolution
Talk time: Up to 9h 20 min (2G) / Up to 7 h 45 min (3G)
Standby time: Up to 358h (2G) / Up to 420h (3G)

Release Date

Although scheduled for release on 23rd July, it looks like the phone won’t be making its way to UK shops until at least September. This has caused carrier Vodafone to exclude it from their smartphone range with a company spokesman explaining: “We’ve decided that due to delays to the launch of the device, we no longer plan to include the HTC EVO 3D in our smartphone range. We will be contacting customers who have registered for updates about the device to make them aware of this decision shortly.”

Zaarly – Could Zaarly be the next big thing?

By Cheryl | Posted in Apple, Mobile, Services | June 24, 2011 – 12:09 pm

Zaarly logoZaarly helps you buy and sell with people around you. You post what you’re looking for, how much you’re willing to pay for it, and the time scale in which you will need it. This could range from picking up a drink from Starbucks, to delivering an iPad.

The idea is for people and businesses to see what you need and help you out. So, what’s in it for the people who are carrying out these tasks? A profit of course. If you’re stuck in an office and you can’t go out for lunch or you need something within 2 hours, people are willing to pay over the odds to get it.

The service, which has been compared to both eBay and Craiglist, recently announced that it has officially reached $1 million in posted transactions.

Is it safe?

Zaarly users are not checked over, so it is at the discretion of the buyer if you choose the bidder. All sales are final and no refunds are made from Zaarly if you are unsatisfied with your delivery. The service allows you to message or phone the winning bidder and payments can be made in person or via Zaarly’s integrated credit card payment system. Up to now there haven’t been any complaints about the service, whether that stays the same as it grows, we’ll soon find out.

The 18th May saw the service officially go nationwide throughout the US, but unfortunately it is not yet available in the UK. Let’s hope it reaches us soon, I can’t wait to give it a go!

Shop on the go with Debenhams

By Cheryl | Posted in Android, Apple, Application, Mobile, News | April 4, 2011 – 11:57 am

debenhams appMobile shopping has proved a successful venture for retailer Debenhams leading the company to announce that their app, once offered exclusively on the iPhone, will now be available on a number of smartphones.

In October 2010, the department store became the first retailer to offer the fully transactional app to iPhone handsets, allowing users to shop on the go. Since the success of the app and online sales increasing by 82%, the retailer are now offering the app to both Android and Nokia users.

Head of Digital Development, Harriet Williams, had the following to say on the development, “Our iPhone app has already seen 2.4 million shopping sessions with 110,000 customers using the app more than five times. Launching on the Android and Nokia platforms opens Debenhams mobile shopping to another millions more customers, bridging the gap between the high street and Debenhams.com.”

The app includes a ‘Barcode Scanner’, which uses the phone’s camera to take a picture of the barcode, enabling it to automatically check prices and reviews.

Customers can also take advantage of exclusive products and offers by looking out for the special codes in Debenhams advertising and store windows.

Currently there has been no announcement on when the application will be made available to Blackberry users, but if the retailer really wants cater to all shoppers, it would be best not to leave it for too long.

So, what are you waiting for? Download the app and get shopping!

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Mobile Development in 2011

By Cheryl | Posted in Android, Apple, Blackberry, Coding, Design, Mobile, Twitter at 12, website | March 7, 2011 – 1:03 pm

iphoneEvery year people look ahead to what they think will be the big trends in the upcoming year. So, how do we think web development will change in 2011?

Gartner, the IT research company, has predicted that within three years, over half of all internet users will be accessing the web via their mobile phones and other handheld devices.

As the demand for Smartphone’s rises, the need for cross platform websites and applications follows suit. Statistics show that the mobile web has grown 110% in the US and 148% worldwide last year, meaning the need for mobile compatibility is extremely high.

Last year was the breakthrough of tablet devices, such as the iPad and the Android Tablet PC, both making their way on to the market to huge interest. It’s these tablet computers that will be one of the main consumer interests in the coming year, making it a learning curve for designers and developers.

Mobile development isn’t new by any means, but these days it’s a lot more advanced. A few years ago the screens were a lot smaller and excessive images on mobiles didn’t work well because the connections were so slow. These days, Smartphone’s have the ability to handle images a lot better, have a larger screen and run 3G for a faster network connection.

Is it difficult to transform your website on to a mobile or tablet platform? One of the main areas that can be a struggle for developers is screen size. Think of the amount of mobile phones on the market and you will see a varied screen size, whether it be height or width. In the development stage websites must be fully tested to allow for these types of occurrences.

The main point to always consider with mobile websites is simplicity is key. Although the design and layout is extremely important, there’s nothing more discouraging to a user than a slow website.

2011 – The Year of Mobile Advertising

By Cheryl | Posted in Android, Apple, Internet, Marketing, Mobile, Social networking | February 21, 2011 – 12:55 pm

Mobile AdvertisingAccording to vast amounts of research posted on the net, Mobile Advertising is going to be big business this year.

2010 saw an influx of Smartphone’s hitting the market and it is now estimated that 70% of the world’s population owns a mobile phone (some people even have more than one!).

The success of mobile internet can be somewhat contributed to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. It is claimed that over 25% (more than 100 million) users access Facebook from their mobile making it’s an advertiser’s paradise.

The most commonly used type of mobile advertisements includes web banners and SMS, with gaming and music videos also proving popular. Many advertisers have jumped on this type of media as mobile phones outnumber TV sets and PC users, allowing them greater views and higher revenue.

The mobile market is ideal for companies wanting to expand their brand. What better way is there to publicise and communicate with customers than through a device they use everyday?

Mobile advertising continues to grow every quarter and was worth £28.6m in 2010. The market has come about quickly considering there wasn’t a huge demand for it a few years ago; showing how much emphasis there is on Smartphone’s and the ability for users to access data on the go.

Although it’s not just Smartphones that have shaped the market, tablets such as the Apple iPad, have set the benchmark for the coming years.

It is likely that mobile video advertising will be one of the main marketing trends this year and could be worth the big investment for companies. It is proven that visual marketing is more successful, so it’s not hard to imagine how lucrative a full screen video advertisement on a mobile phone would be.

The world of mobile advertisements opens up a whole new world for developers and businesses alike; the question is, how long will it be before businesses rely on mobile advertising more than internet advertising?

Last.fm ends free mobile streaming

By Cheryl | Posted in Entertainment, Mobile, News, Twitter at 12 | February 11, 2011 – 1:00 pm

lastfm mobileLast.fm is calling time on its free mobile radio streaming from next week as it aims to turn a profit.

Last.fm members wishing to stream the service on their mobile will have to pay £3 per month for the pleasure, although there is an exception. Microsoft have subsidised the service so all Windows 7 mobile and Xbox Live users will still be able to use the mobile radio for free.

So, why did the company decide to do this now?

With the company yet to make an annual profit, the free service was just wasn’t feasible anymore.

Product Vice President, Matthew Hawn, had the following to say on the Last.fm blog: “On the Last.fm website an ad-supported, free-to-listeners model is what supports our online radio services in the US, UK and Germany.”

“In other markets and on emerging mobile and home entertainment devices, it is not practical for us to deliver an ad supported radio experience, but instead, we will migrate to what we believe is the highest quality, lowest cost ad-free music service in the world,” he added.

But most users shouldn’t worry as the desktop browser will remain free for everyone.

Backlash

A lot of users have already complained about the development, with the sites’ forum being used as a venting point for many.

On the back of the criticism, the company have announced they are ready to launch a new mobile application next week which will offer customers a better quality of service.

Will people jump ship?

Competitors such as Pandora (only available in the US) and Slacker still offer free mobile options, so it is probable that only the serious fans of Last.fm will pay for the app.

There is also serious competition with Spotify and although their service is £9.99 a month, users could be led to them as they offer a much larger collection of music.

Top Ten iPhone Apps

By Jemma | Posted in Apple, Gaming, Mobile, Twitter at 12 | January 28, 2011 – 1:10 pm

Back in 2007 when the famous iPhone first came out, millions of people queued up outside their local Apple store to get their hands on one. So you can imagine how many are sold worldwide four years later (lets just say a lot!).

Apps for the iPhone are just as popular and big business and one of the first ever apps to be released was Seadragon mobile, which is a free imaging browser.

There are thousands of iPhone Apps out there at the mo so we thought we would take it upon ourselves to list the top ten out there.

1. FAAD

Does exactly what it says on the tin, Free App A Day. When you open this it shows you the current free apps available in the Apple Apps Store.

2. Trainyard

A puzzle solving game at heart, Trainyard is a very entertaining App, Basically what you have to do is get each train to the correct Station. Simple but fun.

3. Rhythm Spirit

This is a great and fun app. It is a rhythm based fighting game similar to the game Draglade (Ninteno DS) from a few years back. What makes this App especially good is the fact that it is colourful 2D.

4. Wi Fi Fast connect

Fast connect is an application from wifi network provider The Cloud, which makes it easier for people with iPhones to get online using the company’s hot spots.

5. WordWeb

This is basically an English dictionary/thesaurus. Can come in great use when trying to define different words on the go.

6. Adobe Photoshop express

There are lots of photo editing Apps for the iPhone and the reason this one has made it into our Top Ten is because it’s free, plus it is really good!

7. Speak it! Text to speech

Speak it! Is an app were you type in text and is speaks back to you in the voice of your choice. You can choose between male, female, American, British, posh etc etc.

8. Goodreader

This app allows you to open and edit text files, it started as a pdf reader and is now an extremely useful app.

9. Kindle

The ultimate reading experience, this provides you with the books you
love to read whilst your out and about.

10. Locality

Even though there are plenty of location based apps for the iPhone this one is free so think is worth giving a go.

The Gadget Timeline…

By Jemma | Posted in Fact Friday, Gadgets, Gaming, Google, Mobile | December 17, 2010 – 12:59 pm

Gadgets have been around forever, even over ten years ago there were exciting new Toys to play with.

In our Fact Friday this week we are doing a Doc Brown and going back in time to see the gadgets that have moulded our society of today.

Playstation 1 – 1995

It was released September 29 1995 and was a massive hit, with games like Crash Bandicoot and street Fighter.

Digital Cameras – 1995

Everyone owns a digital camera of some sort and it all started back in 1995. It is said that

Eastman Kodak invented the first ever digital camera and the technology has just grown from there.

Windows 95

Design and planning started for this three years previous to the actual release date. It was said that Windows 95 was released with the single “Start Me Up” (Rolling Stones) on it and Microsoft paid them between $8-$14 million dollars for the privilege.

DVD 1996

DVD was a massive change from VHS and it took a while for people to adapt to the huge improvements, like being able to watch a film again without having to rewind it! Toshiba and JVC are the two known companies who made the first generation of DVD players and are as popular today as they were back then.

Flat screen 1998

Even though these are now the most popular, must have necessity in our living room they have been round quite a while. They were a lot more expensive back in 1998 thus not as popular as today.

Google 1998

The one and only Google.com, this is one of the (if not the most popular) site on the web. With about 320 million hits a day this has become the search engine of the century and I don’t think things are about to change any time soon.

Nokia 3210 1999

The infamous Nokia 3210 was extremely popular and was the beginning of a revolution when it came to mobile phones. It was one of the first mobiles to hide the big awkward antenna and have a choice of three games. Everyone loves a game of good old snake!

Apple iPod 2001

This was an amazing gadget which could hold up to 1,000 songs and was very small and compact in form. You could automatically download songs off iTunes onto this tiny 6.5 ounce design.

Sky+ 2001

Sky plus has been a revelation and when it first came out back in 2001 everyone was wowed at the fact that you can record programmes and watch them at any time you want. For us busy folk this was perfect!

Facebook 2004

Social Networking site of the past six years, Facebook is forever growing in users and popularity. Even with the competitor Twitter, Facebook is still going strong.

Apple iPhone 2007

2007 brought the unveiling of the iPhone, it was known as a widescreen iPod but turned out to be much more. It came with wifi, camera, visual voicemail, email and web browsing. It was extremely popular and sought after and still is today.

Apple iPad – 2010

This year came the sensation that is the  Apple iPad. Basically like a hand held computer, this gadget has sold over two million and the number is only increasing.

So there is a look back at technology over the past 15 years. I personally used to be a fan of the Playstation 1 – couldn’t beat a bit of Crash Bandicoot on a Saturday night!

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Last.fm

By Cheryl | Posted in Android, Entertainment, Mobile, Twitter at 12 | November 22, 2010 – 12:55 pm

Although Last.fm has been around since 2002, it’s still one of the sites that I constantly choose to use.

For those of you that are not familiar, Last.fm is a music website with more than 40 million users based in 200 countries. The site was launched in 2002 and allows users to keep a profile of all the songs they have listened to. These tracks are then put in to charts based on the artist and songs name, allowing you to keep a record of how many times you have listened to them.

Users can also connect with their friends, have their music compatibility compared, leave messages on their wall and recommend songs/artists for them to listen to.

The Last.fm music library holds over seven million tracks which can be streamed across the web.

Scrobble from…

Music can be scrobbled from a long list of media players & applications; the most popular being iTunes, Spotify, PSP, PS3, Xbox 360 and Windows Media Player. A plug in can be installed for any of these services, meaning any music played from within them will appear on your Last.fm profile.

It’s not just online players that tracks can be scrobbled from. Portable audio players such as iPod, iPod Touch, iPhone and Smartphones running Google’s Android OS will be scrobbled after they have been plugged in to a computer.

Radio

The customisable radio station can be based on the users profile, tracks they have marked as ‘loved’ or tracks from their ‘musical neighbours’. Last.fm radio is available for free in the UK, US and Germany but comes at a cost of €3 for users living outside these countries.

Cost

Last.fm is free to use, but does have optional paid accounts. The free account is fine for the majority of users but the paying account does offer benefits such as no advertising, priority on the Last.fm server and more radio options.

What does it work on?

Last.fm runs on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Unix. The software has also been developed to work on phones running Android, iPhone and BlackBerry operating systems.

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