BlackBerry 10
BlackBerry 10
BlackBerry 10 is the next generation mobile platform developed by canadian tech giant RIM for its BlackBerry line of smartphones and Tablet devices. It is based on QNX software that was initially launched on PlayBook OS. BlackBerry 10 supports apps written in C/C++ & HTML5. Main features of BlackBerry 10 platform are discussed below.
BlackBerry 10 Interface
BlackBerry 10 main homescreen will have your four (or maybe more) most recently used applications, though you can select your own favourites and put them there. To the right, you have all your current open app notifications. All the messaging items are only a quick swipe away which allows for easy access and quick glancing. On the left, is essentially your apps screen where you can access all of your installed apps. If it’s not running, you can swipe over to it, tap and then run from there. Access to all these items will be gesture based. To get to them, you’ll be swiping back and forth across the screen in specific ways, where each gesture will cause a different reaction. The sliding screen looks amazing.
BlackBerry new on-screen keyboard
BlackBerries are famous for their physical keyboard but now RIM have developed their new design for on screen keyboard. The new keyboard is innovative as it learns as you type while also allowing you to customise its features. In predictive text mode you can actually swipe suggestions onto the screen helping you to write those blogs and emails effortlessly.
Built-in screen sharing program
BlackBerry 10 will feature a built-in screen sharing program developed by RIM. You will be able to share your phone screen anytime, even during a call. This is a great feature for people to share instant photos or document on the go.
BlackBerry 10 Camera
One of the most innovative feature on BlackBerry 10 is camera. Face detection will now be available on BlackBerry 10 devices. In addition to that you can now go back and forth and edit your pictures. This means if someone blinked when you were taking the picture, you can isolate that person and adjust the photo for the perfect look. Also, the screen is touch sensitive, allowing you to touch anywhere on the screen to take a picture.
Truphone’s mobile VoIP Services
Truphone is developing a new global roaming application based on BlackBerry 10 platform. The new app will let you make international calls and send text messages over Wi-Fi or 4G at rates up to 90% cheaper than mobile operator tariffs. BlackBerry 10′s advanced APIs, new programming tools, intuitive programming environment and developer features and enabling Truphone to slash development time. Truphone app will provide a superior user experience, including reliable and high -quality Wi-Fi or 4G calling.
Games & Entertainment
Gameloft, a leading global publisher of digital and social games will bring 11 games to the BlackBerry 10 platform on launch. The games are being optimized for the new platform using the BlackBerry 10 Native SDK and games available on launch include Shark Dash, N.O.V.A. 3: Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance, Ice Age Village and Oregon Trail : American Settler. The games are designed to take advantage of key BlackBerry 10 features including the Scoreloop social gaming tools and multiplayer functions.
Overall, BlackBerry 10 is really impressive and can reverse RIM’s declining trend. Change in management is another important feature that was long overdue. In a market dominated by Android & Apple iOS, it is too early to say if BlackBerry 10 can challenge for glory. But after seeing positive reviews from developers you can’t count RIM out. BlackBerry 10 will be available for download on BlackBerry PlayBook soon after global launch of BlackBerry London. Stay tune for more details or follow @harrym20 on Twitter.
Huawei Ascend D quad
Huawei Ascend D quad
Huawei Ascend D quad is the latest smartphone powered by quad core processors. Huawei claims that it is the fastest smartphone due to its quad core properties. Ascend D has 4.5-inch IPS display with the resolution of 1280×720 pixels. The display looks very sharp and has a pretty solid pixel density of 326ppi. The screen is really impressive and is pretty close to HTC One X. The powerhouse of Ascend D is Huawei’s own 1.5GHz quad core processor and 1GB RAM. Ascend D will run Google’s latest Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) OS. The device also features a 8 Mega-Pixel camera with 1080p shooting capabilities at 30 FPS, alongside a 1.3 front facing camera.
Overall, Ascend D is an impressive smartphone in terms of hardware but physical appearance is a bit disappointment. It will compete with other quad core powered smartphones like Samsung Galaxy SIII, HTC One X, LG Optimus 4X HD and ZTE Era. Huawei Ascend D will be available from all leading mobile operators by the end of Q2, 2012. Stay tune for more details or follow @harrym20 on Twitter.
Sony Xperia Sola
Xperia Sola is Sony’s latest addition to its portfolio of Android powered smartphones. Complete with sony technology, premium entertainment and innovative floating touch navigation, the NFC enabled Xperia Sola comes equipped with Xperia SmartTags, allowing consumers to change their smartphone’s settings & application to fit their lifestyle in an instant. Xperia Sola has 3.7-
inch Reality Display (with the resolution of 854×480 pixels) powered by Mobile BRAVIA engine and gives razor sharp quality. The powerhouse of Xperia Sola is 1GHz dual-core processor that increase performance & productivity. Xperia Sola will ship with Gingerbread OS (Android 2.3.3) but will be upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) soon after launch.
Floating touch navigation
Making its smartphone debut exclusively on Xperia Sola, Sony’s unique floating touch let’s consumers navigate the web by hovering their finger above the screen so it acts like a moving curser, without actually having to touch the screen. Once the desired link is found it can be highlighted and a simple tap will load the page. Floating touch will evolve with new user functionality and applications through software updates and engagement with developers.
Xperia SmartTags
Xperia Sola is NFC enabled and comes with two NFC Xperia SmartTags in the box as standard to simplify everyday smartphone experiences. Just Tap Xperia Sola with one of the included NFC SmartTags and it will instantly launch apps and change all the settings you like to the situation you want. Turn on Wi-Fi and turn up the ring volume at home. Set your alarm and turn off GPS at night. All with one easy touch. With ready-to-go profiles for home, office, car and bedroom, and the choice to set the options you want with LiveWare manager, its so easy to use SmartTags wherever you are.
Sony Entertainment
With the Xperia Sola, entertainment is close at hand. Enjoy blockbuster movies in super high quality on the razor sharp 3.7″ Reality Display. Add crystal clear tones with 3D surround sound audio through your headphones and you’ll feel part of the picture.
Overall, Sony Xperia Sola is impressive and have loads of new innovative features. The handset is expected to release globally in black, white & red by Q2 of 2012. For more details please follow @harrym20 on Twitter.
ZTE Era
ZTE Era
ZTE Era is the latest flagship device and first quad core powered smartphone from chinese manufacturer ZTE. It is one of the thinnest quad core devices on the market today with only 7.8mm thick. ZTE Era packs 4.3-inch qHD display with the resolution of 960 x 540 pixels. It is powered by NVIDIA’s tegra 3 (4-PLUS-1) quad core processor with a fifth battery saver core. Running Google’s latest OS Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0), ZTE Era is the most powerful Android smartphone, providing powerful new ways of communicating and sharing, with easy multitasking, rich notifications and deep interactivity. For connectivity ZTE Era comes with HSPA+, Bluetooth 3.0 and Wifi 802.11 b/g/n support. For storage it comes with 8GB of in-built memory and an added microSD card slot. There is no official release date but ZTE Era is expected to be available by Q2 of 2012. Other quad core powered smartphones challenging ZTE Era are HTC One X, LG Optimus 4X HD, Huawei Ascend D quad and Samsung Galaxy S III. Stay tuned for more updates or follow @harrym20 on twitter.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
Galaxy Note 10.1 is Samsung’s latest tablet announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. It expands the Galaxy Note experience on a large 10.1 screen boosting creativity and productivity. As name suggest, Galaxy Note 10.1 packs 10.1-inch HD WXGA display with the resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. It is powered by 1.4GHz dual-core processor and 1GB RAM. With its large display, Galaxy Note 10.1 provides multi-screen functionality which enables you to multi task, by viewing internet pages, videos or other application side by side while writing or taking notes maximizing work or learning efficiency. Galaxy Note 10.1 features S Note, a unique and efficient tool that let’s you combine notes & sketches together with web content, images & other digital media into your own personalized storyboards. Users can also enjoy fully PC like premium photo editing and drawing experience with Adobe Photoshop Touch and Adobe Ideas. Photoshop Touch let’s users transform images with core photoshop features and combine multiple photos into layered images, make popular edits, apply professional effects, and more. Adobe Ideas is an easy way to master drawing tool that allows users to sketch ideas, choose color themes and import images. Galaxy Note 10.1 comes pre-loaded with Google’s latest OS Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0). For connectivity Galaxy Note 10.1 comes with HSPA+, Wifi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS and Bluetooth 3.0 support.
Galaxy Note 10.1 also comes with 3 Mega Pixel rear camera and 2 Mega Pixel front facing camera for video conferencing. For storage Galaxy Note 10.1 will come in 3 different versions (16, 32 & 64GB) and an added microSD card slot which can further expand the memory with 32GB card. Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 comes with an innovative S Pen, the most advanced pen input solution on the market, is completely integrated into device’s original applications. It provides enhanced pressure sensitivity, superior accuracy and control when editing or writing, providing an analog pen writing experience on a digital device. There is no official release date announced for Galaxy Note 10.1. Stay tuned or follow @harrym20 on twitter.
Update : According to Korea’s daily IPD newspaper, Galaxy Tab 10.1 release is pushed back to June 2012. The reason for delay is that Samsung is replacing dual-core processor with a quad-core Exynos processor, most likely the 1.5GHz Exynos 4412 chipset.
LG Optimus 4X HD – LG’s flagship smartphone
LG Optimus 4X HD
Optimus 4X HD is the next generation LG smartphone and first to powered by a quad core processor. It is the successor to LG Optimus 2X which was the First Dual core powered Smartphone. Continuing the trend LG is launching its first quad core powered device. In recent months LG has lost market share to other manufacturers like HTC & Samsung and with devices like Optimus 4X HD & Optimus Vu LG is hoping to reverse that trend. Optimus 4X HD features a massive 4.7-inch IPS display with the resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. In size it will only be 8.9mm thick (Thinnest LG smartphone to date). The powerhouse of Optimus 4X are 1.5GHz Nvidia’s quad core Tegra 3 processor (with its 4-PLUS-1 design, four performance core handling graphic tasks and one companion core for everything else) and 1GB RAM. Optimus 4X HD will run Google’s latest OS Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) right from the start. Other main features included are 16GB in-built storage, 8 Mega Pixel rear camera with dual LED flash, DLNA support and 2150mAh battery. More features will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Optimus 4X HD will be available in Europe by Q2 of 2012 and will challenge other quad core powered smartphones like HTC One X, ZTE Era and Samsung Galaxy S III. Stay tune for updates or follow @harrym20 on twitter.
Update : LG Optimus 4X HD will be available in UK from Clove technology for £456 inc. VAT. You can pre order but it will not be available till June 2012.
HTC One X – First quad core powered Smartphone
HTC One X
HTC One X is the latest flagship smartphone powered by first Quad core (tegra 3) processor. It represent HTC’s most premium mobile experience with a new level of iconic design and amazing camera and authentic sound experience. One X packs 4.7-inch HD WXGA display with the resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. The powerhouse of HTC One X are NVIDIA’s 1.5GHz Super 4-PLUS-1 quad core Tegra 3 processor with an integrated fifth Battery Saver Core and 1GB RAM. One X will run Google’s latest Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) and new Sense UI 4, the new version of HTC’s user experience that is introducing HTC ImageSense, a new suite of camera and imaging features like Superfast capture, f2.0 lens for best quality pictures, Video Pic (Concurrent Video/Still Capture) and Dropbox integration with HTC Sense.
For multimedia, HTC One X will feature an 8 Mega Pixel camera at back with an f/2.0 lens and 1080p video capture capability. There is also a VGA camera at front for video calls. Other features included are NFC technology, 32GB in-built storage, Wifi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, HSDPA mobile connections, accelerometer, proximity sensor, GPS and 1800 mAh battery. HTC One X will be available globally from leading mobile retailers by April 2012 and will challenge other quad core powered smartphones like LG Optimus 4X HD, ZTE Era and Samsung Galaxy S III. Stay tune for updates or follow @harrym20 on twitter.
Update : Google’s next update ‘Jelly Bean’ (Android 5.0) will be launched by Q3 of 2012 and new quad core powered devices will be getting the update by the end of 2012.
Update : HTC have announced that all HTC One customers will get up to 25GB of free storage for 2 years on all Sense 4.0 devices. That’s enough to keep more than 10,000 high quality photos. Dropbox is also integrated throughout HTC Sense 4, so its even easier to edit, save & share your documents.
Update : Orange UK have announced that HTC One X will be available from the network by the end of Q2 of 2012.
Update : HTC One X will be available from all the leading UK mobile operators. O2 & T Mobile have confirmed an April launch. Three & Vodafone are getting the device by May of 2012.
