Last week we reported that the HTC Tattoo was in line for an update to it’s operating system – from version 1.6 to 2.1 (Eclair). Well, according to official words from HTC, “currently there are no plans to update the HTC Tattoo with Eclair”. Well, that put that straight.
Virtual network Virgin Mobile have announced that they are to open up their Android handset range with the additions of 3 new phones: HTC Desire, Samsung Galaxy Portal and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10.
The HTC Desire it set to sell like hotcakes this summer as the Taiwanese manufacturer rides a wave of success in the wake of it’s successful HD2 and HTC Legend handsets.
Meanwhile, Sony Ericsson look to bring their feature-phone prowess to the Android platform, with the Xperia X10 which features a highly customized UI, superfast 1Ghz Snapdragon Processor, large capacitive touchscreen and refined 8 MP camera
The Samsung Galaxy Portal on the other hand is the more affordable of the three. That’s not to say that the Galaxy Portal is slim on features however – 800mhz processor running Android 2.1 (Éclair), large 3.2” capactive touchscreen, Assisted GPS, MP3 player, 3.5mm jack and upto 32GB storage via SD card.
These three handsets join the LG Intouch Max to form a strong portfolio of Google-powered devices.
Expect to see the new deals early next month.
Yet another network promotes the HTC’s flagship Android handset, as the HTC Desire‘coming soon’ page. ’superphone’ poses proudly on T-Mobile’s
Registration for the speedy Desire began in late February, with pre-orders for the popular device beginning on the magenta network from Monday 22nd March.
Available from the 26th of March, the HTC Desire will be available for free on a £35 per month tariff.
Compare the latest selection of HTC Desire deals from all the major networks and retailers here.
The Vodafone-exclusive HTC Legend certainly looks the part and enjoys some of the sexiest Android implementation this side of the Nexus One, but what of the 5-megapixel camera?
Well, we took a few choice photos to size up the handset’s paparazzi potential, and were (a bit) impressed!
With 2 x digital zoom, an LED flash and autofocus, the Legend comes slightly better equipped than many smartphones at this price point…
Images are rich with colour and lacking in crawl on the highest settings, if a little light…
…but the 2x digital zoom reveals a lot of the fuzziness endemic to mobile phone cameras. Still, a better than surprising clarity and level of detail in the goomba’s fur.
Outdoor shots are clear and crisp, but don’t stand up too well under scrutiny in terms of middle and long distance clarity.
However, the swift shutter speed results in a good photo, whilst the exposure control gives a surprising amount of customisation.
A bit of fiddling enabled a decent long-range shot of Wembley Stadium, whilst pressing a physical key (the trackpad in the case of the Legend) and gripping onto the ‘chin’ afforded some stability to the device.
The touch autofocus has accompanied by a reassuring whirr, letting you know that the right object is being brought to the fore, although it doesn’t really show in the resultant images…
Check out the detail on that cow! Too bad it was focussing on something else entirely…
Low light situations were in fact a friend to the Legend, with night photos coming out a treat thanks to the LED flash and ISO sensitivity adjustment.
The HTC Legend in fact has the entire suite of features you would expect to find in a dedicated snapper – white balance, geotagging and a range of effects (sepia, grayscale, negative) – the Android phone giving good reason to leave your digital camera at home.
Video was another story, recording at 30fps in MPEG4 but not giving a smooth reel of film once played back. Vids were fairly choppy, with quite a lot of ‘screen tearing‘ when making movies featuring plenty of movement.
So, all in all, the HTC Legend is a great photo grabbing device when it comes to still life, but trying to capture the world in motion is somewhat more challenging…
The lens is quick when it comes to taking pictures by minimising shake and blurring, whilst the flash truly illuminates otherwise dark situations.
The Legend is not as legendary at being a camera as it is, but it is still way above average and is more than capable when it comes to photo opportunities.
Reports are rife that Google’s European entry to the mobile phone market has been hampered by technical issues, resulting in the Nexus One launch being pushed back to mid-April.
The first handset that the search giant has had full creative control over, the Nexus One also had a problematic launch in Google’s native America.
Customers faced connectivity issues as their unique web-only sales tactic backfired slightly, with numerous consumers only able to report their technical issues and receive support via e-mails and forums.
The handset was put up on the Vodafone web site late last week, allowing customers in the UK to register initial interest in the Google Nexus One.
However, with the network also making both the flagship HTC Desire and HTC Legend (the latter a Vodafone exclusive) available to purchase early next month, this Android-powered duo will easily take advantage of — and sales away from — Google’s delayed device.
The Nexus One on pay monthly will be at a similar price point to HTC Desire deals (a very similar device, check our comparison), around £35 per month with a free handset.
Source: Silicon Republic
Good news for those wanting their official UK Google phone fix, Vodafone has finally opened up their site for consumers to register interest in the Nexus One.
Previously only available as a SIM-free device from Google themselves, Vodafone’s registration for the Nexus One on their ‘coming soon’ page marks a move into pay monthly for the search giant’s debut in the mobile market.
The Vodafone site wants you to be pretty forthcoming with your details however, requiring a mobile number, current mobile provider, whether you are currently on contract or prepay and even the date your contract runs out! Looking to snap up some new customers at any opportunity, eh Voda?
It is also important to note that these are not pre-orders for the device – pricing and a release more concrete than April has yet to be revealed – but it shows that the march of the Android phones is continuing unabated.
The Nexus One is the next stage in the evolution of Android, an imposing device sporting the new 2.1 build of the operating system, a 5 megapixel camera, 3.7″ capacitive touchscreen and touch-sensitive controls.
The actual method of purchasing the Nexus One from Vodafone stores is still unclear however, we got word earlier that they won’t be stocking the device in stores, but rather giving you a SIM and then showing you where to go and buy one. Which is from Google.
Can’t be bothered to wait? Then the cosmetically (and karmically) close HTC Desire is also due to our shores very soon…check out our comparison of the latest HTC Desire deals ahead of its April 1st release!
Ok, so the HTC Desire might be top of the Taiwanese manufacturer’s spec-sheet, but it’s the HTC Legend that’s had the top spot on our wishlist ever since we first saw it at last month’s Mobile World Congress.
Essentially, the HTC Legend is this year’s reboot of their Android-powered Hero. It’s still got the handy little kink at the bottom, but this time it comes with a super-bright AMOLED screen, a super slick optical trackpad and is encased in a one-piece aluminium shell.
Still yet to be convinced? Then take a look at our photo gallery (click each pic for a closer look):
Like what you see? Expect to see our impressions of the phone as the week goes on, topped off with an in-depth review!
Not long to wait… HTC Legend deals are available in the UK from next month.
The HTC Magic, Vodafone UK’s first Android handset, has been removed from sale on the network in anticipation of a new range of devices powered by Google’s mobile operating system.
In response to questions regarding the handset’s disappearing act, a post on Vodafone’s official forum said: ‘Unfortunately the HTC Magic has just been discontinued and we no longer have stock of that phone.’
A network exclusive to Vodafone since May of last year, the HTC Magic was a successful smartphone which saw a raft of software improvements, but had since been superseded by handsets like the HTC Hero and Motorola Milestone, both sporting newer versions of the open source platform.
We were still able to find the HTC Magic on a variety of business tariffs on the site, but the Magic’s removal from the range coincides with new Android phones such as the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 and Google’s own Nexus One being prepped for launch through Vodafone’s consumer channels.
A Vodafone spokesperson said to Mobile Today: “When the stock of the Magic is sold we are planning to replace it with more Android devices.
“Given the pace devices are evolving at, it is just logical that a particular device will have a certain life span. That doesn’t mean that we are going to stop supporting customers that have the device.”
Good news, but will that stretch as far as updates to the latest version of Google’s Android platform, currently gracing hot forthcoming handsets like the HTC Legend and HTC Desire? It doesn’t look likely…
In a move that was always more a matter of ‘when’ than ‘if’, chipset manufacturer Qualcomm has pledged to support the new generation of consumer-friendly mobile phones to come from Microsoft.
According to an official statement, ‘multiple device manufacturers’ are currently developing smartphones that will not only run on the new Windows Phone 7 Series platform (unveiled at this year’s Mobile World Congress) but also be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor, currently featured in popular handsets including HTC’s HD2 and the forthcoming Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10.
“We’ve worked closely with Qualcomm on Windows Phone 7 Series software and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets are an integral part of bringing to life the rich, integrated experiences on a Windows Phone in a way that conserves battery life and provides always-on connectivity,” said Andy Lees, Microsoft’s senior vice president.
Qualcomm’s Executive Vice President Steve Mollenkopf echoed the sentiment:
“We are very excited about the next generation of devices that will leverage the synergy of our highly integrated system on a chip solutions and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 Series software.”
It’s easy to forget the major part that hardware plays in the mobile experience, and Qualcomm’s chips have been instrumental in taking the smartphone to the next level in terms of speed, responsiveness and delivering impressive multitasking.
Having gotten a good idea of what the first offerings will look like from LG’s handset reveal last week, it will be interesting to see whether Microsoft can court the elusive casual consumer with smart, sleek and inviting Windows Phones this holiday season.
Source: Microsoft Feed
HTC Desire – ‘In Your Face, Google!’
Google must be livid- barely had the white-hot buzz on their HTC-manufactured Nexus One started to cool, when leaks came through of the HTC Bravo, which looked undeniably similar.
Officially announced at MWC as the HTC Desire, the handset is essentially a Nexus One, but better. Underneath the stunningly vivid AMOLED screen, there’s a superfast Snapdragon processor, the latest version of Android OS, enhanced 3G capabilities and WiFi and a sharp 5MP camera.
The main improvement however, is the sleek optical track pad which, combined with HTC’s super-easy to use Sense UI, makes for one of the most delightful navigations since Blackberry replaced their trackballs.
With the Nexus One only available to order over the internet, the HTC Desire is poised to clean up this year.
Available on preorder from a variety of retailers now, expect to see the HTC Desire arrive in April.
—————————————————————————————————————————-
Form Factor Acrobatics from Motorola’s Backflip
Sporting a unique design, with a track pad nestled on the reverse of the QWERTY keypad, the Motorola Backflip has certainly drawn a lot of curiosity, but going into MWC, we still wondered if it would be any good.
After a hands-on in Barcelona last week we reckon the Backflip is a winner!
First of all, the Backflip’s form is as comfortable as it is quirky. Meanwhile, the QWERTY is of the best we’ve used – with large spaced out keys, perfect for fat fingers like ours.
Sure, it might not tote the latest version of Android (it runs v.1.5) but as Motorola’s third Google-based phone, this is Motorola’s chance to get the formula right.
Gone are the lag-inducing visual fireworks as experience on the Milestone and as a result it feels similar to the original DEXT – with simple widgets sitting atop an uncluttered UI.
The overall result is that Motorola have produced a refreshing handset in an increasingly clone-like market.
Could the Backflip be the phone to bring Motorola back from the brink? Quite possibly.
Available on these shores from April.
————————————————————————————————————————
X10 Mini Pro –World’s Smallest Android Makes Us Drool
After hearing bits and bobs about the X10, the Sony Ericsson X10 Mini came as a bit of a surprise to us.
Not only does it hold the prize for smallest Android handset, but we can also confirm that it is – THE BOMB. But a very small bomb… an incendiary device perhaps?
Sony Ericsson offer a highly customisable version of Android, in contrast to Motorola’s stripped down presentation of google’s OS. At it’s centre is a Social-Media Time-Scape which allows you to manage all your communications with contacts from a single place.
Moreover, the X10 Mini offers customisable shortcuts in the four corners of the device’s cute 2.5” QVGA screen, making navigation even more simple and going some way in sidestepping the frustrations of having to operate a tiny handset with multiple button-pushes.
And if you feel you need a QWERTY, then Sony Ericssson have thrown that in with the Mini Pro too.
You won’t have to wait long to get your mits on this little beast either… expect to see Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro and X10 Mini deals on Omio at the beginning of April.
———————————————————————————————————————–
Despite more entry-level phones now claiming to grant you access to all your favourite social networks, few of these actually deliver a satisfactory experience. HTC Smart on the other hand, offers the first smartphone experience at a low price, with uncompromised functionality:
The HTC Smart represents the future of entry-level handsets.
Conceived and executed around the concept of HTC’s “people-centricity”, the HTC Smart features the ‘Sense’ UI, which at it’s core features an integrated friend stream that pulls together all your phone conversations, email, SMS and IM’s into one place.
Clean compact design on the outside is then mirrored on the inside with a clean and efficient BREW MP Operating System, courtesy of Qualcomm.
At half the price of other smart phones, the HTC Smart punches way above it’s weight.
HTC are confident that this is the phone that will entice the youth market away from PAYG and into the wider world of social messaging on the move. Having tried this handset out at MWC, we’re inclined to agree.
Expect to see HTC Smart deals available on O2 from April.
