Nokia X3-02

Keypad phones that aren't stuck in the past can be hard to come by these days, but Nokia have put the best of both worlds into the Nokia X3-02. It may look like a traditional candybar handset on the outside, but comes with the added extra of a touchscreen.

The Nokia X3-02 Touch and Type will tickle whatever its users fancy. Coming in at just 77 grams, this handset won't weigh down your pocket compared to its full touchscreen counterparts. The 2.4 inch TFT display provides a great platform for browsing plus 3G and Wi-Fi capabilities make it a top dog for connectivity.

Those new to the touchscreen world won't have to make the transition completely with the Nokia X3-02 as it still has a traditional keypad to keep texting and calling simple. There are plenty of entertainment features on board too, and with a 5MP camera, music player and access to the Ovi Store, there will never be a dull moment with the X3-02.

Read rest of entry

MasterCard willing to cut off pirate sites

MasterCard, is willing to stop processing transactions from sites trafficking in pirated music, movies, games, and other digital copyrighted content.

Lobbyists working for MasterCard have told trade groups from the entertainment sector that the credit card company is supportive of The Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act, an antipiracy bill introduced into the Senate last September, sources with knowledge of the talks tell CNET.
Backed by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and committee member Sen. Orin Hatch (R-Utah), the bill would authorize the Department of Justice to shut down domain names of U.S.-based Web sites judged to be dealing in pirated content and also have the power to order Internet service providers, payment processors, and online ad networks in the United States to cease doing business with overseas pirates sites. Opponents of the law say it will give the government sweeping powers to censor U.S. citizens.
Representatives from MasterCard, Visa, and American Express did not respond to interview requests.
When asked for a comment about the ongoing talks between MasterCard and the entertainment sector, the music industry's trade group, the Recording Industry Association of America, issued a statement from Mitch Glazier, executive vice president of government and industry relations.
"MasterCard in particular deserves credit for its proactive approach to addressing rogue Web sites that dupe consumers," Glazier said. "They have reached out to us and others in the entertainment community to forge what we think will be a productive and effective partnership."
The antipiracy strategy of large Hollywood studios and music labels is evolving and is now less about filing lawsuits against site operators and individual file sharers. Big media companies now seem intent on cutting off sources of income for illegal file-sharing and streaming sites. Many of these operations make money by posting ads from U.S. ad networks, including Google. They also charge for "premium services" such as larger storage capacity.
One of the sites the entertainment industry says offers access to unauthorized copies of films is Megaupload. To obtain a membership to the site, one can pay with PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. There are certainly other ways for sites to accept payment than these and the entertainment industry knows this. They also know that many people are still leery of online transactions, even with stalwart payment methods.
The goal of the entertainment sector is to discourage as many people as possible from doing business with pirate sites.
To that end, the MPAA, RIAA, and other trade groups have pressured payment services, ad networks, and ISPs to do more piracy fighting. For some of these companies, Leahy's bill seems to have helped spur people into action.
Two weeks ago, Google announced it would improve antipiracy efforts, including a promise to do more to keep Web sites that provide infringing materials out of AdSense, the company's advertising program that pays Web sites for hosting ads.
In addition, the Interactive Advertising Bureau, the trade group representing 470 members that account for more than 86 percent of U.S. online advertising, says it also wants to work with the entertainment industry and lawmakers on cutting off pirates.


Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20025879-261.html#ixzz18KXq7HuX

Read rest of entry

iPhone now fifth most popular in Japan

Here is a metric for skeptics who predicted the iPhone would fail in Japan: Apple's handset is now the fifth-best-selling smartphone in the country, with 12.2 percent of the market, according to IDC.
This is the first time Apple has cracked 10 percent in the Japanese market since the iPhone debuted there, so this is something of a milestone. More so when you consider that the company is now in spitting distance of incumbent Kyocera (12.7 percent) and not too far away from market leaders Sharp and Panasonic, which hold about 18.8 percent and 16.6 percent of the market, respectively.
And people said the iPhone would never be big in Japan....
Story Copyright (c) 2010 AllThingsD. All rights reserved.
Additional stories from AllThingsD
Mad Dash: Amazon Extends Holiday Shipping, Falls Short of Walmart
Kobo Turns One
Conference Call: RIM Talks to the Street (But Plans to Say Less)
Novell Patent Grab: "Cheap Defensive Insurance"


Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20025873-37.html#ixzz18KXXZgsg

Read rest of entry

Apple iPhone 3GS 8GB Black

Meet the iPhone 3G S. Featuring a remarkable video camera, voice control and more. It's a revolutionary phone, a great widescreen iPod and a breakthrough Internet device in one. And with tens of thousands of apps from the App Store, it can do just about anything.

IPhone 3G S still has all the features that make it an iPhone, Phone, iPod and Internet device in one, iPhone offers desktop-class email, an amazing maps application, and Safari- the world's most advanced mobile web browser. And your iPhone does even more when you add apps from the App store.

iPhone 3G S now lets you shoot and edit video, then share it via email, MMS, MobileMe or YouTube. And still pictures get better with a 3-megapixel camera, built-in autofocus and a tap-to-focus feature. Load web pages, launch apps, open attachments and take pictures faster than ever before. IPhone 3G S makes your entire iPhone experience more responsive.

Read rest of entry

Top 5 Google Android phones

Unless you are living in an eco-pod under the ground, chances are you have seen adverts about Blackberry and iPhone smartphones. Next up on the market is the Android which due to the current buzz and large amount of advertising you also probably recognize.
However, what you may not know is that Google Android mobiles are now storming the market given how many have hit the carriers over the last year. The following is a quick breakdown of Android smartphones to help you decide which cell phone is the best fit for you.
Motorola Droid 2- The Droid 2 has garnished positive critical ratings given that fact that it has a nice QWERTY keyboard that is easy to use with a reasonably long battery life. Although it does not have some of the nice perks and features found on other more expensive Android models such as HDMI out, noise cancellation, and HD video recording; if you want a simple but effective phone the Droid 2 is the perfect match. (On the other hand, if the extra features make the phone for you, check out the Droid Incredible or Droid X both of which are fully loaded with almost any feature you could dream of.)
htc »”>HTC Droid Eris- Named after the Motorola Droid, the Eris offers users a slim, simple mobile that does not come with the keyboard for those who prefer a compact mobile phone. Small does not mean empty however, as the Droid Eris still offers a full spectrum of Android features but due to the missing keyboard only costs a bargain $99 with a new or upgraded Verizon contract.
HTC Evo 4G- The EVO 4G is known for its quick processing speed as well as how many multimedia features and specs are jammed into the small, sleek mobile. Easily the best smartphone on the Sprint network, it also comes with the added ability to connect to 4G networks which will continue to spread across the country as time moves on.
Samsung Galaxy S- Packed with features, the Galaxy S is known for its large attractive screen. While the pre-packaged software in the mobile is pretty impressive, it is loaded with all of the top hardware and the brain and ease of use that Android mobiles are known for helping keep it on the top of the market.
Google Nexus One- Google has pretty much never produced a flop, which is why it should come as no surprise that the Nexus One is simply a beautiful and impressive mobile. Complete with great, fast performance without any handing and an amazing AMOLED screen that will bring tears to the true techno-geeks’ eyes, it also has some fun tweaks added into the standard Android OS given Google is the creator of the operating system. The only problem holding it back from market domination is a few issues between network carriers.
source

Read rest of entry

eBay buys mobile-app developer Critical Path

eBay said yesterday that it has bought Critical Path Software, a mobile-app developer that had already been working with the auction site for the past couple of years.
Helping to design several eBay mobile apps, Portland, Ore.-based Critical Path has partnered with eBay's mobile group to create eBay for the iPhone and eBay Classifieds. Critical Path and eBay also teamed up to develop StubHub, a ticket-buying app, and Shopping.com, a shopping comparison app.
The acquisition is part of eBay's move to focus even further on the growing mobile market. The auction site has also been busy scooping up other businesses this year. In June, eBay bought RedLaser, developer of an iPhone app that scans bar codes to compare products and prices. And earlier this month, it picked up Milo, a shopping service that tries to tie in online and offline shopping.
"We're very serious about innovating in mobile commerce, and this acquisition underscores our commitment to bringing the very best and brightest in the field to eBay," Mark Carges, chief technology officer and senior vice president of global products for eBay Marketplaces, said in a statement. "Integrating the Critical Path Software team into eBay will be a big win for mobile shoppers around the world."
The purchase price and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.


Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20025884-93.html#ixzz18KW14jYT

Read rest of entry

Motorola DEFY

The Defy is the latest Android offering from Motorola, who have managed to pack all manner of technological pizzazz into a rugged outer shell. Featuring a 5MP camera, Wi-Fi calling, GPS, and a powerful 800Mhz processor to power it all along, the Defy really is the only tough handset we can think of that still manages to hold on to all the stuff that makes a smartphone a smartphone.

Bundled under the armoured exterior, which comes complete with an impact and scratch resistant 'Gorilla Glass' screen, are some quite impressive features. Adobe Flash Lite 3 allows you to view all of your favourite Flash-based websites and Motorola's MotoBlur function allows you to sync all your social media, manage battery use and even wipe your phone should you ever be careless enough to lose it.

As well as all this, the Defy is dust, drop and drink poof, meaning that you could drop it in a pint and keep it there for 10 minutes should you wish. Its water-resistant qualities will even let you check your Facebook in the shower, although we'd advise you to be careful over just which photos you upload whilst you're in there!

Read rest of entry

Dealing with LCD pixel anomalies in Apple displays

Liquid crystal displays (LCD) use a grid of definable points on a screen to display information. Used in many of Apple's products, including Cinema Displays, MacBooks and MacBook Pros, and the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, LCD screens can be subject to pixel anomalies. As Apple puts it:
Each pixel has three separate subpixels--red, green and blue--that allow an image to render in full color. Each subpixel has a corresponding transistor responsible for turning that subpixel on and off.
If any of these subpixels or transistors fails, it can result in a "dead" pixel on your display. Pixels generally number in the millions, depending on the size of your display. Apple's 27-inch iMac, for example, has a display resolution of 2,560x1,440, resulting in 3.7 million pixels.
Once you take into account the subpixels, you're talking about over 11 million elements involved in displaying images on your iMac.
Pixel anomalies can present themselves in several different ways. Occasionally, dust or other debris can appear to be a dead pixel on an LCD screen. Though Apple is generally one of the best quality-control companies out there, the sheer volume of displays the company produces can result in anomalies. According to Apple:
Foreign material is typically irregular in shape and is usually most noticeable when viewed against a white background. Foreign material that is on the front surface of the glass panel can be easily removed using a lint free cloth. Foreign material that is trapped within the screen must be removed by an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple Retail Store.
(Credit: Apple)
Pixels that have actually failed may appear as either dark spots or bright spots, depending on what's wrong with them. Apple's pixel anomaly replacement policy was recently leaked, revealing how many anomalies need to appear on a display for Apple to consider replacing it.

source

Read rest of entry

Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro Black

They say three is the magic number and the Xperia X10 range is no exception. The third sibling is here, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro bringing a whole lot of bang for your buck. Dubbed the Mighty but Mini handset, this little bundle of joy packs a 2.55" capacitive touchscreen, full sliding Qwerty and stashes an impressive array of media gadgetry.

The 5megapixel camera comes complete with autofocus, LED flash and video capabilities, while the media player can handle a number of different file formats and throw out great quality sounds. Running Android 1.6, the Mini Pro works all the social network feeds as well as a few added treats, Gmail, Google search, talk and maps.

The connectivity gang are all onboard, from 3G of the super speed variety to WiFi and Bluetooth. There's even space for a memory boost, up to 16GB to be precise, ensuring your Mini pro has more than enough space for your every day needs.

Read rest of entry

Sony Ericsson Vivaz Red

There's only one word we can use to describe the Sony Ericsson Vivaz, and that's multimedia. This nifty little package has entertainment in abundance, from 720dp HD video recording to the 8megaixel camera to social networking.

There're a load of options onboard dedicated to getting the perfect image or video, which the 3.2" display is ready to flaunt. The media player is top notch, which is after all, what you would expect from Sony, and there's even a microSD slot capable of holding up to 32GB of memory. More than enough room for all that multimedia goodness.

Running Symbian S60 OS means the Sony Ericsson Vivaz is easy to use and simple to navigate. All your social networking stuff is accessible straight from the home screen, along with your favourite shortcuts. With the Sony Erisson Vivaz, having fun has never been so simple!

Read rest of entry

Sony Ericsson shunts Yendo phone back until Feb. 2011

Arriving as the latest handset maker to delay a major product release, Sony Ericsson has today announced that its Yendo phone won’t be available until February of 2011.
Initially announced back in the summer of this year, the handset’s delayed arrival isn’t likely to upset many prospective buyers—not least because it’s fairly light where desirable features are concerned.
Citing an unnamed “Sony Ericsson exec”, technology site T3 reports that the Yendo has been shoved back on the calendar due to issues with the current version of the phone’s software.
Set to bolster Sony Ericsson’s existing line of Walkman phones, the Yendo is expected to come equipped with a modest 2.6-inch touchscreen, a 2.0 mega-pixel camera with digital zoom, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and media support via Touch TrackID, PlayNow and MediaGo.
For those keen on snagging a snazzy handset with 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity, the Yendo is also worryingly deficient, which is a shortfall reflected in the handset’s projected price of $100 USD.
Earlier this week, Nokia pushed its upcoming flagship E7 smartphone back from its December shipping date—apparently in order to hone its user interface ahead of an early 2011 release.
source

Read rest of entry

Google Phone Nexus S Finally Released By Samsung

By Matthew Lentini | Friday | 17/12/2010
The Samsung Nexus S, running on the latest version of the Google operating system, Android 2.3, has just been released in the US.
Google has delayed the public release of the open source software for Android 2.3, or ‘Gingerbread', until sometime after the Nexus S release.

The Google partnered mobile could see a release in Australia in early 2011.

"Samsung Electronics Australia is excited at the prospect of bringing the Nexus S to Australia. We are currently reviewing our options on how to bring this to market locally and look forward to sharing more details at a later stage," said a spokesperson for Samsung's Australian division.

Vodafone carried the Google Nexus One in Australia which suffered diminutive sales both locally and abroad, but the telecom is yet to confirm their partnership for the Nexus S.

Best Buy in the US currently retails the phone at around US$200 on a T-Mobile contract while Google has reported that the mobile will go for US$530 outright.

source

Read rest of entry

Consider a ‘Pay as you go’ phone

Mobiles phones are the best way to stay in touch with family and friends wherever you are. The global mobile phone market is massive and still growing with advances in the technology and choices increasing too.
When choosing a mobile phone it is not only the model and make the consumer has to consider. The option of Pay as you go or SIM free phone needs to be considered. Both of these options come with their own features and advantages. The one you choose depends upon your requirements and budget.
PAYG phones offer flexibility and ease of purchase and use. They can be bought cheaply and easily off the shelf from retailers all over the UK. They come fitted with a SIM for a specific network and often include financial benefits such as text and call bundles, call-time vouchers, cash back schemes or discount offers. These phones are excellent for students, young people and individuals who do not want the burden of a long term mobile phone contract. PAYG phones provide the consumer with a cost-effective and efficient option.
With a PAYG phone, talk time is purchased in advance and credited to your account removing the need for a monthly bill. Thereafter the user can top up their credit as and when they need it. This method of payment lets you control how much you are spending on talk time and avoids the pitfalls of running up large bills. PAYG is an excellent way keep in touch with your loved ones and contacts while staying in budget.
The PAYG and SIM free phones offer consumers a way to easily and economically use the mobile phone of their choice. However SIM free phones are very different. Mobile phones that are purchased SIM free can be used on any network.
The consumer can then choose their network of choice and purchase a SIM accordingly. Mobile phone retailers in the UK offer a wide range of SIM free mobile phones from brands such as Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Samsung. A key advantage to this type of phone is that if a user changes location to a different country, their SIM can easily be changed for one using a local network. This avoids expensive international charges.
A mobile phone that is either SIM free or PAYG offers the consumer flexibility and choice. These phones free you from taking on the long term commitment of a contract. You can enjoy the freedom of having a mobile phone that suits your budget with out the worry of an expensive monthly bill.
You can choose from a wide variety of brands and models and in the case of a SIM free option, you can also choose your network. Both options offer flexibility and economy for consumers. The one you choose depends purely upon your personal needs and budget but you will find great advantages in both

source

Read rest of entry

Watchdog tackles confusion over phone call charges

by Clinton Manning, Daily Mirror
WATCHDOGS are seeking to clamp down on “rip-off” phone charges costing consumers almost £2billion a year.
Ofcom says there is widespread confusion about the cost of calling 03, 08, 09 numbers used by businesses, charities, government departments and TV shows such as X Factor.
And it says customers are often paying over the odds, leaving them “hundreds of millions of pounds” out of pocket each year.
Worse still, the high call charges hit poorer households hardest as many have ditched land lines in favour of pay-as-you-go mobiles, which often have the most expensive tariffs for calling these numbers.
The biggest change Ofcom proposes is making it free to call 0800 from all phones. At the moment it can cost up to 40p a minute for a 0800 call from mobiles.
Ofcom is also planning to axe 0870 numbers which have become particularly controversial and cap the amount inquiry services, such as 118118, can charge. At present, this ranges from a flat 30p fee up to £2 a minute.
Ofcom’s research showed users had little idea of the cost of calling “non geographic” numbers such as those starting 0845.
Advertisement - article continues below »

People polled guessed the cost of calling a premium 09 number at up to 70p a minute when the reality is up to £1.50, more than twice as much.
Ofcom wants to introduce a traffic light system to improve clarity.
Calls in each band would have an upper limit. It is also pressing mobile operators to charge a flat rate for non geographic numbers so callers can compare costs.
Ed Richards, chief executive of Ofcom, said: “There is clear evidence of widespread uncertainty about the cost of these numbers.
“Consumers need to have more transparency about the price they pay.”
Hannah Bullivant, of Consumer Focus, welcomed the “long overdue” attempt to simplify a “bewildering” range of numbers.
“It’s unfair that someone phoning a number that is free from a land line can pay up to 40p when calling by mobile,” she added.


Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/city-news/2010/12/17/watchdog-tackles-confusion-over-phone-call-charges-115875-22788745/#ixzz18KRDfcR3
Go Camping for 95p! Vouchers collectable in the Daily and Sunday Mirror until 11th August . Click here for more information
source

Read rest of entry

Alcatel OT-980

Alcatel is not that well known in the US but in the UK they make decent phones on a budget and the OT-980 is their first with Android! Not much is known about this particular handset yet but some specs have been confirmed including a 2.8" inch resistive home screen, 2 MP camera, Wi-Fi, bluetooth, GPS, a Qualcomm processor @ 600 MHz and a 3.5mm audio jack.
It's not yet known if the device will run Android 2.1 upon launch but it is confirmed to atleast come with Android 1.6. The Alcatel OT-980 is expected to be launched around August time!

Read rest of entry

Samsung Transform Android smartphone for Sprint review

The T-Mobile myTouch 4G is T-Mobile's second HSPA+ smartphone, following the T-Mobile G2. There are arguments to be made that T-Mobile's HSPA+ network isn't 4G, but there's no disputing that it's fast. So is the myTouch 4G; it's powered by one of Qualcomm's latest 1GHz Snapdragon processors. From its premium industrial design down to its voice quality and battery life, the myTouch 4G was a pleasure to use during my tests.

That's not to say there weren't some areas that could see improvement. The video chat is practically unusable and its user interface may not be for everyone. Even still, the myTouch 4G is, without a doubt, one of T-Mobile's best smartphones. Let's explore why.

Read rest of entry

iPhone 4 Cases

Belkin launches new stylish cases for the iPhone 4 that make it easier to access and use your iPhone no matter how you carry it. Since the iPhone owner is constantly on the go from place to place and likes to stay always connected, Belkin has designed cases that not only complement this mobile lifestyle, but also cater to the different ways an iPhone is carried. We’ve identified five main ways people carry their iPhone: in a pocket, in the hand, in a bag, on themselves, and while being active.
For those carrying their iPhone in their pocket, Belkin’s slim cases are easy to grip, they slide in and out of a pocket smoothly, and they provide impact protection from everyday drops. For those who keep their iPhone in hand at all times, they will appreciate our line of cases that are comfortable to hold, shock-absorbing, and easy to grip. Belkin has also created cases that make your iPhone easy to find within the interiors of a travel bag or purse and protect it against constant contact with other items.
Belkin recognizes that people typically either carry their iPhone or they wear it. To accommodate either person, Belkin offers cases that range from armbands to belt buckles, making the iPhone easy to access for intermittent use.
AVAILABILITYCases in select styles will be available starting late June 2010 in North America and parts of Europe
Other styles will continuously be made available for purchase throughout 2010

Read rest of entry

Acer Liquid E

The Acer Liquid E is practically the same as the Acer A1 the only difference is that it now packs Android 2.1! Bringing additional features to play with too!

This beast still packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and a wide 3.5 inch WVGA Capacitive touch screen. Remember the Android treats I said earlier? - Well having Android 2.1 adds some great features such as Live wallpapers - an interactive homescreen unique to Android , Multi-touch & many others you can play with for hours on end.
The Acer Liquid E is available now sim-free through online retailers and is now avaialble to American carrier 'Rogers'. There's also a special Ferrari edition - check out the picture tab!

source

Read rest of entry

Smaller, brighter, longer-lasting iPhone 4 unveiled

At the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco today, Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the new iPhone 4. Jobs said the fourth generation of iPhone has over one hundred new features including a higher resolution display, a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, HD Video recording, Apple’s A4 processor and longer battery life.
Although packed with more features such as Retina display with 960 x 640 pixel resolution and a second microphone (for noise cancellation), the redesigned iPhone is 24% thinner – 9.3 millimeters – than the iPhone 3GS leading to Apple’s claim that it is the “thinnest smart phone on the planet.”
Perhaps the two most notable new features of the new iPhone are more power and more talk time. The new A4 processor, the same one found in the iPad, gives the iPhone 4 more computing power and according to Apple, an improved battery delivers up to seven hours of talk time on 3G networks, up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi and up to six hours on 3G, and up to 10 hours of video playback and up to 40 hours of audio playback.
The iPhone 4 will arrive with an new operating system, iOS 4 whose new features include Multitasking, Folders, enhanced Mail and more Enterprise support. Multitasking, allows users to switch between any of their apps, while folders will allow iPhone owner to organize their apps into collections by dragging one app on top of another. A folder is automatically created and named based on the category of apps selected. Users can change the name of any folder at any time.
The iPhone 4 will come in either black or white in 16GB and 32GB for $199 and $299 respectively. The device will be available in the US, France, Germany, Japan and the UK on June 24. Canada, along with seventeen other countries will have to wait until the end of July for their iPhone. The worldwide roll-out to 88 more countries will happen at the end of September.

Read rest of entry

Acer beTouch E400

The Acer beTouch E400 is the bigger brother of Acers E110. The beTouch E400 has a faster processor running @ 600MHz, a bigger 3.2 inch screen and rocking Android 2.1!

The Acer beTouch E400 has a general stylish look with the added benefit of the handset coming with 3 interchangable battery cover colors to take your pick out of. The Hardware buttons also seem to light up creating a great appearence. The Acer beTouch E400 has a few pre-installed apps includng premium twitter client 'Twidroid Pro' & 'Facebook' for social networking & 'DocumentsToGo' making the handset compatible of reading and editing Microsfoft Office documents.
With Acer sync and Googles 'cloud service" built in, your photos, contacts, calender and media are all synced with your PC too.
The Acer beTouch is available now from a variety of e-retailors and it recently passed the FCC with AT&T bands so keep an eye out!
source

Read rest of entry