Coolsmartphone has a screen shot of the HTC Bravo on Orange website however nothing is official right now. It’s a powerful Android device with enough to attract your attention for several months. Seems to be suggested as a phone to rival the Nexus One.

1GHz Snapdragon CPU

3.7″ AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with WVGA resolution (480 x 800)

5MP camera

Wi-Fi

GPS

HSDPA

HSUPA

Looks great if this is legit, but if not, hopefully the official release information is around the corner!

The Sony Ericsson Aspen is hardly a device that is going to set the world on fire however the phone, previously called the Faith, is actually turning my head. Filling the gap that Palm has left moving to WebOS, this front facing, Qwerty keyboard, Exec phone isn’t for everyone but it’s my kind of thing. Packing the newer Windows Mobile 6.5.3, an operating system revision some say should exist, the Aspen not only combines the sexy looks of the Nokia E series with Windows Mobile but it should really be rock solid, given that Sony Ericsson have been releasing devices solely for critic mauling recently. I think this might just be a diamond in the rough.

Some of the specifications:

Camera

    * 3.2 megapixel camera

    * 4x digital zoom

    * Multishot

    * Self timer

    * Smart contrast

Messaging

    * Email

    * Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®

    * Handwriting recognition

    * Instant messaging

    * Picture messaging (MMS)

    * Predictive text input

    * Text messaging (SMS)

Connectivity

    * 3.5 mm audio jack

    * A-GPS

    * Bluetooth™ technology

    * Google Maps™

    * Micro USB connector

    * Modem

    * Synchronisation

    * USB mass storage support

    * USB support

    * Wi-Fi™

Screen

    * 65,536 colour TFT

    * 2.4 inches

    * 240 x 320 pixels (QVGA)

Facts

    * Size: 117 x 60 x 12.45 mm

    * Weight: 130 grams

    * Memory card support: SanDisk microSD™, up to 16 GB

    * Operating system: Windows Mobile® 6.5.3

    * Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 10 hours

    * Standby time: GSM/GPRS: Up to 450hrs

    * Talk time UMTS: Up to 8 hours

    * Standby time: UMTS: Up to 600 hrsMusic listening  time: Up to 12hrs

Availability and versions

    * Networks

    * UMTS HSPA 900/2100

    * GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900

    * UMTS HSPA 850/900/2100

    * GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900

    * Available in selected markets in Q2 2010

Read the Sony Ericsson press release.

msmobiles.com Podcast 319
(format: MP3)
(right click above to download the podcast)

You can listen to this podcast also from this web page, through the Flash player:

URL to RSS feed of this podcast (for your podcast catcher) is:
http://x.msmobiles.com/portal/podcast.xml

If you use iTunes then click HERE to subscribe to this podcast.

In this episode Edward from msmobiles.com is chatting with: Alli fromJustAnotherGeekSite.com, Ching and Gareth from MobileTechAddicts.com, Surur from WMPowerUser.com.

Please subscribe also to twitter.com/msmobiles (and you will be followed back in return) !

In this episode:

— Windows Mobile 7 rumors

— Sony Ericsson Aspen – lovely Windows Mobile phone powered by Windows Mobile 6.5.3

— Google Android introduces multitouch – impact on Windows Mobile

— Foursquare for Windows Mobile – available

— Mobile World Congress 2010 rumors and predictions

— Microsoft releases Silverlight and .NET Compact Framework for Nokia phones

— MIX 2010 conference (March 2010) will have Windows Mobile sessions after all

— other stories and news related to Windows Mobile phone

Save money and save space with one integrated “utility app” suite. You would fill a whole screen with icons (and spend a lot of money) just to get the same functionality found in iCatchall!

Features Include:
* Flashlight
* Tip Calculator
* File Storage
* Unit Converter / Measurement Converter
* Hourglass Timer
* Digital Alarm Clock
* Level
* Ruler
* Phases of the Moon
* Sharing Address Book Contacts
* Counter
* Personal Massager (iPhone only)
* Dealing cards
* Dice
* Play Rock, Paper, Scissors
* Flip a Coin
* Kitchen Sink (a game)
* Flaming Balls of Fire (much cooler than a lighter!)
* Playing with photo-realistic poker chips
* Fun noises
* Your own portable Studio Audience
* and more…

Get it here (price: FREE for today, go get it tiger!):

* * * * *

To celebrate some major new developments here at Mobile Tech Addicts we are giving away two Bluetooth headsets. Kindly donated by Matt from Tracyandmatt.co.uk the headsets are a Plantronics Voyager 520 and a Plantronics Discovery 650.

So what’s the occasion? Firstly, there is the iPhone app that was released this week. Hurrah! Secondly, in an effort to keep things fresh and exciting on the podcast Andy and I will be joined by our new co-hosts James Richardson and Matt Davis from Tracy and Matt. You may remember James and Matt joined us for the first show of this year.

How do I win a headset? Send me a picture of you listening to the podcast. When at Mobile World Congress I shall ask the coolest and most prominent person I can find to choose their favourite two photos (To be honest it will probably be the most attractive booth babe.) The two photos chosen will win! Simples.

You can send your photo to mobiletechaddicts@googmail.com. Entries should be in by midnight on 17/02/10. I will be posting all photos received so keep them clean

Best of luck!

You want the mobility that wireless Bluetooth technology affords. With the Plantronics Voyager 520 Bluetooth Headset, you get that and much more, including several industry-leading features, such as a unique windscreen and a noise-cancelling microphone for business-class call clarity, extended battery life, and an enhanced earbud design for superb comfort. And thanks to multipoint technology and one-touch controls, you can easily answer calls on two Bluetooth devices — such as a personal phone and a PDA.

• Noise-cancelling mic and windscreen cut down distracting background and wind noise
• Multipoint technology pairs headset with two Bluetooth devices
• Innovative earbud design offers exceptional sound and comfort with a secure fit
• Universally compatible with Bluetooth-enabled phones
• Up to 8 hours of talk time, 7.5 days standby from single charge
• One-year limited warranty

For the busy professional, the Plantronics Discovery 650 is just about the perfect wireless headset. It offers real designer style, and it can be used with more than one Bluetooth device at a time a PDA and a mobile phone, for example. The Discovery 650 is ultra lightweight, weighing just 9 grams, but it manages to incorporate the legendary Plantronics sound quality, as well as a host of useful features ranging from a headset pocket with call alert and auto answer, to a AAA battery charger that extends standby time up to 170 hours.

• Multipoint technology for connection to more than one Bluetooth device
• Simple to use volume, call answer and call end controls
• LED indicates incoming calls, missed calls and low battery
• Up to 5 hours talktime, with 170 hours on standby when used with the AAA battery charger
• Weighs just 9 grams
• Works up to 10 metres away from mobile phone
• AAA adapter tops up your battery while travelling
• Charging pocket with vibrate call alert

Vodafone is looking into a ’severe breach of rules’ by staff after an offensive ‘tweet’ was posted on its official Twitter account, Vodafone UK.

The offensive ‘tweet’ was posted at 15:47 and deleted shortly afterwards. Since then, the operator has sent out numerous apologies to its followers on the social networking site. Vodafone reacted quickly to the breach and posted an apology, just under an hour after the original post, which said: ‘We’re really sorry. A severe breach of rules by staff in out building, dealing with that internally. Please keep your faith in us.’

Only this week the operator was used as an example of a company using Twitter for good customer services by BBC programme Working Lunch. Followers of Vodafone UK on Twitter started ‘re-tweeting’ and asking Vodafone what had happened and have speculated that a disgruntled employee created the post.

One follower said: ‘Have I missed something???’

A Vodafone spokesman said: ‘This afternoon an employee posted an obscene message from the official Vodafone UK Twitter profile. The employee has been suspended immediately and we have started an internal investigation. This was not a hack and we apologise for any offence the tweet may have caused.’

Source

To see example click here (the most popular game on iPhone, the game that was even mentioned on The Big Bang Theory TV comedy series).

Commentary: at the end of March 2010, Apple is releasing commercially iPad (in USA also 3G version, overseas: WiFi version only at first) and clearly Apple understands what will be the most important factor in success of iPad: apps – “it’s all about apps, stupid!”. No wonder therefore that Apple is improving everything related to app store lately…

* * * * *

Yup, we’ve done it. There is now a handy tool for downloading, streaming and enjoying the Mobile Tech Addicts Podcast on the iPhone. Over the next two weeks we will be implementing big changes to the podcast to make it all so much for interesting for you. Hope you enjoy it and look forward to hearing from you.

You can download it from iTunes directly here.

Jon from Clove.co.uk is looking for folks interested in Smartphones to partake in a short survey in regards to their smartphone views and desires. The results of which will be feature in a report Jon is writing as a research project for his business degree. If you have a few moments, why not fire through the survey, I did and it’s harmless. Here is what Jon has to say:

You may not be aware that whilst working for Clove part-time, I am currently completing my 4th year studying Business at Bournemouth University. As part of my final year work I have to complete a research project, also known as a dissertation. I have chosen to focus on the following topic:

"Does innovation provide competitive advantage to manufacturers of smartphones, with particular focus on HTC."

The project requires me to obtain primary data to use to assist in the investigation of the relationship between innovation and competitive advantage in the smartphone industry through a survey and also interviews.
Could I kindly ask that you post a link to my survey on your blog/forum to assist me in obtaining the quality feedback that I need.

Please, do not feel obliged to say yes, you can say no!

If this request is possible (I think your readers may find it interesting), then if you could provide them with the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/smartphoneinnovation

I do hope, in April or soon after, to be able to provide a full copy of the project to you and your readers. It will be a big project, but some may find it of interest, and it is certainly a different news post.
A point to note is, that whilst I use your contact details (with approval) through my employment at Clove, this study is not financed by nor will be used by Clove or HTC in any way.

Thanks for your time, I look forward to your response!

Whilst most of the networks currently offer the iPhone in the UK, one of the networks has been selling them, unofficially. T-mobile have been importing European iPhone to sell to UK customers. One dealer said, while support from T-Mobile had been “fantastic”, he faces losing customers to O2, Orange or Vodafone because of iPhone distribution.

T-Mobile area sales manager for the south Lee Wales said: “In the past we did buy some iPhones in Europe because we were concerned customers would leave if they didn’t get the iPhone.

“We took the decision and it might have backfired because Apple wasn’t very happy. But we decided that retaining those customers was important. But it’s not our policy, and it has been two quarters since we last did this.”