Coolsmartphone News

Update check - HTC device refresh

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:34:28 +0000

Woaha, we're not quite sute why all these updates have suddenly appeared on the HTC website, but do click on to see if you need to update your device.

Updated devices include our long-time favourite the HTC Touch Dual (T-Mobile version). Other devices include the Touch Diamond2 (HTC Unlocked and T-Mobile UK versions), the Touch Pro2, TyTN II (T-Mobile UK), Touch Diamond (T-Mobile UK) and the Advantage X7510 (T-Mobile UK).

The HTC website can sometimes change the time-stamp on files and we've seen the RSS feed splurge out old updates as new, so we're not totally sure how new these updates are.

Credit - wmpoweruser.com

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HTC Desire set to arrive on Virgin Mobile too

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:50:35 +0000

Virgin Media has now announced that it will be carrying the HTC Desire too. The network already carries the Windows-powered HTC HD2 and has also just ranged the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy with the Xperia X10 also set to arrive soon.

At the moment it looks like all the major networks will be getting the HTC Desire, with the "separated at birth" Nexus One being carried only by Vodafone here in the UK.

Link - ITWProPortal
Credit - Andrew Denton

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HTC Android 2.1 Update coming April?

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:37:47 +0000

The much-anticipated HTC Hero updated is now apparently set to arrive on April 2nd with network variants getting their fix on April 16th. The details, posted over at xda-developers.com relate to the European roll-out of the Android 2.1 update and all the extra HTC Sense loveliness we saw on the HTC Legend.

We were initially told "the end of March" but, if these rumours are true, it looks like there's a little bit more waiting to do yet.

Link - xda-developers.com
Credit - TheNewShaft and Marcus Isaacs (via HTCHeroBlog.com)

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HTC Disagree with Apple, will defend themselves

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:00:23 +0000

HTC have just put out a press release in response to the Apple lawsuit. The response puts a heavy emphasis on the history of HTC and the many awards that HTC have received. HTC completely disagree with the Apple claims and they intend to fully defend themselves.

CEO of HTC, Peter Chou, said..

"HTC strongly advocates intellectual property protection and will continue to respect other innovators and their technologies as we have always done, but we will continue to embrace competition through our own innovation as a healthy way for consumers to get the best mobile experience possible. From day one, HTC has focused on creating cutting-edge innovations that deliver unique value for people looking for a smartphone."

Click on for the full press release

Links - HTC History - Press Release

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Windows Phone 7 Series - Metamorphosis

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:26:48 +0000

So, the lack of copy and paste has caused some controversy then. Todd Brix, Senior Director for Windows Phone Product Management, has stated that it's all part of the plan. A "smart linking" system will let you click on a number and either call it or add it to your contacts. This system should be an intelligent link between what you might want to do with certain bits of information. Will it be in apps you download from the Marketplace too ? Let's hope so - sometimes I want to copy bits of an email and send them as a Tweet. Sometimes I want to trim bits of a web-page and add them into the Mobile Office apps. Can I do that? Well, Todd admits that they try "to focus on what the core use cases were", but there may be some who "won't be happy with some of those decisions". So, no. Perhaps not then.

I'm sorry Microsoft. We've got some pretty big issues here. Yes, the OS needed a reboot. It was well past it's sell-by date. We've accepted the fact that previous apps won't work, we're gradually coming around to the fact that multi-tasking isn't there and that you're going to take more control over the experience. But, and this is a big "but", the lack of copy and paste is something we all laughed at when the iPhone appeared in 2007.

"Ha! That iPhone hasn't even got copy and paste!", screamed the Windows Mobile owners.

Three years (and several months) later, is it wise to release a new OS that does everything we hate about the iPhone? You can't side-load apps and games - they only come from one shop, the Marketplace. Oh, and that Marketplace can remotely revoke app licences. That means that MS can yank the plug on anything that could harm the OS.. or anything that isn't "good" for the store.

On February 15th Microsoft revealed more than just a new OS. This is an entire change of direction. The "geeky" users, the "power" users and perhaps even the business users are, at least in my opinion, no longer the target audience. This is Microsoft following the iPhone "how to" guide. This will be an approachable OS, one which will do pretty much all the things that most people want in a nice, safe, constantly updated environment.

Links - Copy and Paste details (cnet.com) - App Kill Switch (engadget.com)

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Windows Phone 7 Series - No Copy and Paste at launch

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:19:20 +0000

The whole Windows Phone 7 Series announcement has pretty much split traditional Windows Mobile fans into two camps. The first camp is happy to see the previous "Today" screen and ageing interface consigned to the wheelie bin, whilst the second camp mourns the loss of a business-orientated device.

So, we don't really know whether to post this or not, especially after the iPhone got berated for the same thing for so long. Ready? Well OK then. Engadget have just found out that Windows Phone 7 Series will not have copy and paste at launch. Yep, you heard that right. All those Office apps won't be quite so useful any more..

Ahem. Dare I ask. Thoughts?

Link - Engadget.com

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Xperia X10 arrives on Orange UK website

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:53:44 +0000

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 has just popped up on the Orange UK website in both black and white. It's a handset we spotted in the Sony Ericsson family gallery at Mobile World Congress last month and is powered by Android. It has a 1Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU and comes with a 4" 480x854 (WVGA) screen with tri-band 3G / HSPA, quad-band GPRS / EDGE, WiFi, Bluetooth A2DP and GPS. There's also an 8.1 megapixel camera which comes with auto-focus, face recognition, geo-tagging, 16x digital zoom, smile detection, touch-focus and video recording.

Other specs include a G-Sensor, 3.5mm audio jack and a microUSB slot. The phone also includes the Sony Ericsson GUI with Timescape for keeping up to date with friends and Mediascape for your entertainment needs. Both colours are listed as coming soon and we'll keep you posted with more news as we get it.

Links - Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 (Black) - (White)
Credit - Tacheeze

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Touch Pro3 Upcoming ?

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:42:39 +0000

One handset we haven't heard much of is the HTC Tera. It got leaked last year but now an interesting post at xda-developers.com mentions a "HTC Touch Pro3" which we assume is the Tera. The sliding / tilting QWERTY design has proved popular for HTC and we'd love to see this rumour become reality. The post states that the first shipment could be arriving this summer, so if true we're guessing Windows Mobile 6.5 will be on board too.

This is all we know so far though, but do let us know if you've heard anything more.

Link - xda-developers.com
Credit - Alex McCaffrey

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Windows Phone 7 in more detail at MIX10

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:24:51 +0000

So, some other interesting information from MIX10 today. Microsoft have yet again stated that no, no, absolutey no, the HD2 will definitely not get Windows Phone 7 Series. Also, the hardware details are out - there'll be a consistent set of hardware with one resolution available at launch - 800x480. That's it, no more, no less. Later a 480x320 resolution will be available.

Windows Phone 7 Series .. umm.. phones will have the same RAM and the same touch screen. Also, in the middle of the demos, there was a brief glance at an unannounced Samsung phone and Marketplace got an unveiling - it'll be the only way to get apps on your Windows Phone.

Developers are key to the success of Windows Phone and interest is definitely there - the developer.windowsphone.com site is down as I type!

Links - developer.windowsphone.com - slashgear.com - Engadget.com

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Developer details at MIX10 for Windows Phone 7

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:32:31 +0000

Microsofts' MIX10 event is underway in Las Vegas and Windows Phone 7 Series developer details have been revealed. The event kicked off with Scott Guthrie (.NET Developer Platform) and Joe Belfiore (Windows Phone Programme Management). The keynote revealed that Silverlight will be used for rich internet apps and the XNA Framework for game development on Windows Phone 7 Series. The tools that developers need will be free too - a full package will be available to download which includes Expression Blend for Windows Phone and a preview of Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone.

Windows Phone Marketplace has also been detailed with a 70% revenue share offered for developers on the all-new Windows Phone. Silverlight 4 Release Candidate was also shown off with some parts becoming open source and the ability to produce rich interactive experiences and reliable apps. Microsoft also showed off a new beta for Expression Blend 4, which includes Path Layout to enable developers and designers to build UI design via a much easier and clearer visual layout mechanism, without the need to write code. The beta also supports Silverlight 4, .NET Framework 4 and Visual Studio 2010.

Links - MIX Online - Press Release

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Vodafone grab an exclusive on the HTC Legend

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:01:02 +0000

Our HTC Legend story from last week didn't mention one quite important detail. Yes, the rather excellent HTC Legend we've covered is coming to Vodafone UK, but it's exclusive to Vodafone UK.

Apart from the unlocked versions from our store and devicewire.com the only high-street shop you'll see it in is Vodafone.

Link - Earlier Story

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Windows Phone 7 Series GUI on your Windows Mobile

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:46:55 +0000

It's been just two weeks since we saw the first signs of a Windows Phone 7 Series theme for Windows Mobile 6.5 and now the beta is available via a CAB file. This first version includes the people hub, live tiles, a program launcher, and bing search.

It's early days yet but, if you're willing to take the plunge and give feedback then you can get that Windows Phone 7 Series feel on the link below.

Link - xda-developers.com
Credit - mobiputing.com

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3 UK launching six Android phones

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:29:02 +0000

Six new Android phones will be appearing on UK network "3" in the next three months. The details, announced by Mobile News, mention Sony Ericsson and Samsung, with the HTC Hero already selling.

The Spotify app location - which lets you listen to music and share it amongst your friends - will also be included on the upcoming Android phones with 3 Head of Internet Services, David Kerrigan, stating..

"We are focussed heavily on providing our mobile internet-powered applications and will make them available to more people this year. The Spotify application will be available on all Android devices we launch on the network. These applications have been important in driving mobile data and will be available as an add-on for all contract tariffs going forward.�

We're guessing that one or more of the X10 phones and possibly the Samsung Galaxy Lite will be part of the line-up, but more news as we get it.

Link - Mobile News
Credit - Johnny De'Silva

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Legend Also Coming To Vodafone

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:05:35 +0000

There was another huge Android announcement at MWC that is of course the HTC Legend which is an upgrade to the Hero that so many people loved last year (it also won phone of the year!)

Now in a aluminium unibody case with the new version of Sense an an optical trackpad the Legend is expected to fly of the shelves once it goes on sale in April.

Link: Vodafone Coming Soon

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HTC Desire Coming Soon To Vodafone UK

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:01:41 +0000

Today is fast becoming a day for Vodafone to put up pre-orders on their coming soon section. Earlier today we brought you news that the Nexus One was available to register your information for over on the official Vodafone website and now comes the HTC Desire, due out in April

The HTC Desire was announced at MWC and was rumored to be called 'Bravo' before that. Check back for more information later.

Link: Vodafone Desire Page

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