Omio News Blog

4G EE now available in nine more places

Formerly Everything Everywhere, now 4G EE mobile phone network has made public that it has enabled more places to gain access to its network – bringing the total up to 27 towns and cities.

These new places are said to be Amersham, Bolton, Chelmsford, Hemel Hempstead, Southend-on-Sea, Stockport, Sunderland, Sutton Coldfield and Wolverhampton.

That adds to the 11 cities that went live on the 30th of October, which are Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Sheffield and Southampton.

17 more were added in December. They were Bradford, Chelmsford, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Leicester, Luton, Newport, Reading; Rotherham, St Albans, Sunderland, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, Watford, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton.

The 4G network is now available in 45 per cent of the country, and this is only in the 90 days since launch and its ahead of schedule – according to EE.

“As the first operator to bring 4G to the UK it is important that we make it accessible to as much of the population as possible, as quickly as possible”, said Olaf Swantee, Chief Executive Officer, EE.

“We continue to bring superfast mobile to more and more people, whether they’re using their devices outdoors or in their homes and offices, and to increase the speed and consistency of our 4G and 3G network across the UK.”

Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie due May-June

Popular chip maker Qualcomm has had its purported roadmap of leaked of chips for 2013, which also contains the Google release timeframe of the next version of the Android operating system – as the second quarter of this year.

The outed information notes that the K-release of Android is expected in May-Jun, with “K” a reference to the version of the Google mobile OS thought to be called Key Lime Pie.

A second slide states a spring release, with an indication that the OS will run on five platforms. Those are noted to be 8906, 7×27(5)A, 8×30/8×27, 8×25 and 8064 Fusion.

The third part of the roadmap mentions the yet-to-be-confirmed platform by name – Key Lime Pie, while adding an icon/image of the said dessert.

That information has been published by mobile phone news website phoneArena.com, from a posting on Android Police – its source.

The original article has now been taken down, which the following post in its place.

“The information previously posted at this URL contained Qualcomm confidential and copyrighted information that was posted without Qualcomm’s authorization.”

Omio believes the information is then highly credible, with the Google I/O event due in May – which traditionally heralds in a new OS.

HTC M7 arriving before 8th of March

Taiwanese mobile phone manufacturer HTC has reportedly had its yet-to-be-announced M7 flagship mobile phone’s arrival date outed, which is just two and a half weeks after its unveiling.

HTC is holding a press event on the 19th of February, which is believed to be for the M7 mobile phone that has recently been leaked in photos.

This is thought to be the 2013 top-tier handset from the outfit, replacing the HTC One X and One X+.

It is rumoured to have a full 1080p HD screen, in the same way as its USA Droid DNA or Japanese Butterfly J counterparts – putting it on par with the Sony Xperia Z, and similar devices.

This latest information is from an article on the HTC news website HTC Source, from unnamed sources.

It notes the M7 will start to be sold by USA carriers on the 8th of March, where it expects it to be on sale in the UK before this time.

There is also the details that the purported mobile will be available in black and silver/white. The leaked images of late only show the device in black, where this now adds more variations to the HTC M7 models.

Stay tuned to Omio, as we are attending the HTC press event on the 19th and will bring you all the news on what is launched.

Best BlackBerry Z10 Deals and Prices: Networks and Retailers Compared

Formally Research In Motion, now known as just BlackBerry, had unveiled its new operating system called BlackBerry 10 OS and the first mobile phone to arrive running it – the BlackBerry Z10.

Omio is now compiling which mobile phone networks are carrying the device that went in sale today, along with the tariff costs and what it comes with.

Carphone Warehouse is retailing the BlackBerry Z10 with costs starting at £36 a month, with no upfront charge for the handset.

This is on a 24-month contract, which has 900 minutes, an unlimited text message bundle and a 250MB data allowance.

The EE network is retailing the phone with full access to its 4G LTE speeds, on a £31 a month tariff and the phone is priced at £199.99. That comes with unlimited calling and text messaging, with a 500MB data offering.

The lowest cost for the BlackBerry Z10 on EE, is £29.99. This has a £46 a month contract, with the same calling and text messaging as the other one, only with a 3G data allowance.

O2 has the third lowest contract price of £13.50, with the phone priced at £379.99. This has 50 minutes, an unlimited text message bundle, and a 100MB data limit.

The Z10 is free on a £36 a month On & On deal, with unlimited calls and text messages, plus a 1GB data allowance.

Orange commences its prices at £10.50 a month, with the BlackBerry costing £269.99. This has 100 minutes attached and access to 500 text messages.

The lowest price is on a £36 a month tariff, with the device costing £29.99. That has 600 minutes, unlimited text messages and a 1GB data limit.

Phones 4u has a whole range of contracts on offer for the BlackBerry Z10, where it also has the white version ahead of anyone one else – plus the first 250 will also get a free PlayBook 64GB tablet.

This starts at £20.50 a month with Orange, with the mobile costing £299. That has 100 minutes, an unlimited text message allowance and a 500MB data limit.

The lowest tariff with a zero price for the Z10 is on a £36 deal, with unlimited calling and texting – and a 1GB data allowance.

T-Mobile’s has the lowest cost at £7 a month, with a £319.99 price tag, 50 minutes, 100 text messages and a 250MB data limit.

Its smallest fee for the device is £29.99, on a £41 contract, with unlimited calls, texts and data.

Three has confirmed it will be carrying the new BlackBerry, but hasn’t announced any prices as yet.

Vodafone has the BlackBerry Z10 commencing on a £33 a month contract, with the mobile costing £129. It has 600 minutes, unlimited text messages and a 500MB data offering.

The lowest cost for the mobile comes on a £42 deal, with unlimited calling and text messaging, plus a 2GB data limit.

Exclusive: Higher specification BlackBerry due this year; no lower end BlackBerry 10 OS mobile phones in 2013

Omio has learned that a BlackBerry 10 OS based handset, with higher specifications than the recently announced BlackBerry Z10 phone – is due this year.

We attended the BlackBerry 10 OS launch event yesterday, which was also for the unveiling of the first full touch screen mobile from the company – to run the new BlackBerry 10 OS.

Only this is not to become the 2013 flagship device from the company, previously known as Research In Motion, and is now just called BlackBerry.

During a conversation with a BlackBerry senior member of staff, we were informed that another mobile phone is due this year – with a better set of specifications, than seen in the Z10.

The Z10 has a 4.2-inch 1,280 x 768 LCD display, while powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and an 8-megapixel camera.

That high-ranking employee has seen information about its existence, but they didn’t furnish us with any more details.

Omio believes this upcoming BlackBerry might contain a larger, higher resolution screen, faster processor and more internal storage.

We also enquired about more BlackBerry 10 OS devices arriving this year, where at least six more were given as a response – but only to the point of mid-range devices.

This leaves out the lower-end of the market, which has always been a big seller for Research In Motion/BlackBerry.

BlackBerry 10 OS launch event coverage

Omio has attended the launch event for the new BlackBerry 10 OS, which also heralded in two new mobile phones to run the platform  These were the full touch screen BlackBerry Z10 and the QWERTY keyboard based BlackBerry Q10, and the company also changed its name from Research In Motion – to BlackBerry.

We are now compiling all of our coverage from the event, in one easy to access place – this very article.

The BlackBerry Experience: BlackBerry 10 OS launch event – Live Blog

4G BlackBerry Z10 announced: RIMs first BlackBerry 10 OS mobile phone

BlackBerry Z10: hands-on photos and unboxing

BlackBerry Z10 mobile phone – unboxing video

BlackBerry Z10: hands-on video walkthrough

BlackBerry Z10: hands-on review

BlackBerry Z10 vs. Apple iPhone 5: in photos and specifications

BlackBerry Z10 accessories: in photos

BlackBerry Z10 vs. Samsung Galaxy S3: in photos and specifications

BlackBerry Q10 unveiled: Research In Motion’s first BB10 Qwerty keyboard handset; company named changed to BlackBerry

BlackBerry Q10: hands-on photos

BlackBerry Q10: hands on video

UPDATE: Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 mobile phone announced that can take photos underwater – available before March

South Korean electronics giant Samsung has unveiled the rugged Galaxy Xcover 2 Android mobile phones, which was leaked earlier in the week in the company’s outed 2013 H1 roadmap.

The Xcover 2 is the sequel to the 2011 Xcover handset that can withstand life’s little knocks and scrapes, more than other phones.

Samsung’s Galaxy Xcover 2 has an IP67 rating, which means it is both dust and sand proof. And, it can withstand being immersed in one metre of water, for up to half an hour.

It also has a 4-inch WVGA 800 x 480 TFT screen, while powered by a dual-core 1GHz processor, with 1GB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage and support for 32GB microSD cards.

Built-in is a 5-megapixel camera with a LED flash, which can be used under water for subaquatic photo taking.

There is also a front-facing VGA camera, and Bluetooth 4.0 that has a 50-metre range, plus a 1,700mAh battery.

Running the Xcover 2 is the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, with the Cardio Trainer Pro workout app and features seen in the Galaxy S3.

These are access to S-Cloud; S- Voice for voice control of the mobile; the Smart Stay capability for recognising when someone is watching the screen, and it keeps the display alive.

Omio has been in touch with Samsung to see when it will be arriving in the UK, where an upcoming press release is promised with more details.

UPDATE: 

Samsung has just contacted us, with the follow information – “The Galaxy Xcover 2 will be available to purchase in the UK by March”

BlackBerry Q10: hands on video

Research In Motion has just renamed itself BlackBerry, launched a new operating system and a pair of mobile phones – not a bad day in the office.

Just to round off our coverage of the BlackBerry 10 OS launch event, along with the BlackBerry Z10 – the first handsets to run this platform – we are publishing a hands-on video walk through of the BlackBerry Q10.

This is the qwerty keyboard equivalent of the Z10, only with a smaller 3.1-inch touch display and a physical keyboard.

It is still powered by a dual core 1.5GHz processor, with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and support for 32GB microSD cards.

BlackBerry Q10: hands-on photos

Omio is now publishing these hands-on pictures of the first QWERTY keyboard based handset from BlackBerry (formerly known as Research In Motion), to run its BlackBerry 10 OS – the BlackBerry Q10.

It will ship in April, with a 3.1-inch touch screen, while powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, support for 32GB microSD cards; NFC, an 8-megapixel camera and a front facing 2-MP version.

Running the mobile is the BlackBerry 10 OS, with its always present unified BlackBerry Hub inbox; multi-taking features and access to 70, 000 apps – at launch.

BlackBerry Q10 unveiled: Research In Motion’s first BB10 Qwerty keyboard handset; company named changed to BlackBerry

Canadian email phone maker Research In Motion BlackBerry has announced its first BlackBerry 10 OS run mobile phone, with a physical keyboard – the BlackBerry Q10. 

This was launched alongside the company’s first device to hit the market, the full touch screen BlackBerry Z10.

It comes with a 3.1-inch screen and an actual keyboard, while powered by a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, with 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and support for 32GB microSD cards.

This mirrors the hardware specifications of the BlackBerry Z10, including the micro HDMI out port. It will also support 4G LTE connectivity, and is thought to be arriving in April of this year.

BlackBerry Q10 runs from the BlackBerry 10 OS, with its always present unified BlackBerry Hub inbox; multi-tasking capabilities and access to 70,000 applications at launch.

That platform comes from QNX version, found on the PlayBook tablet.

Research in Motion also made public that it is has changed its name, from today onwards – to BlackBerry.

This is a move seen as one to solidify the brand, as many refer to the company as BlackBerry and not Research In Motion.