Android Update for Samsung i9000 Galaxy S leaked to the public
According to reports, the Samsung i9000 Galaxy S Android smart phone is getting an update to the next version of the operating system, Android 2.2 Froyo. Sadly, this is not an official update, but rather, a leaked version that allows users to install a pre-release version of the OS.
The patch has already been used by some curious users and has been successfully installed. While no adverse effects have been reported, many users confirm that the Adobe Flash support is not packed with the update. This means that users might have to download and install the Flash player manually. Most of the Android Froyo’s pre-reported features are present, most particularly, the part about the speed boost for the user interface.
It seems that Google was not kidding when they mentioned that the update will change the way people feel about the Android operating system –not that we had problems with the previous versions. With the older Android operating system, the UI navigation and controls are already intuitive, smooth and responsive. Getting around was a simple series of motions, gestures and taps that received quick feedback and response.
The Froyo OS however, is on a completely different level. According to the first few users who have tried the update for the Samsung smart phone will be the first to point out the change in the UI speed -as impressive as this is, people fail to realize the one important element that the interface is able to retain despite being sped up; the smoothness. This is what makes the Froyo update so significant. Not only does it make the entire UI run faster, it is able to retain the cohesiveness and design sensibilities of the interface.
Of course, it would be important to remind readers that updating the Samsung Galaxy S with the leaked update is a risk and a gamble. Samsung and Google will not offer compensation or coverage for any user that uses it.
Why iPhone 4 Users Should get Fring
The iPhone 4 is certainly one handset that people love. Apple managed to sell 1.7 million units in just three days, which is a major retailing feat by any standards. Of course, there is more to the iPhone 4 than just the Apple brand (though it cannot be denied that that also served as a major factor in sales); the smart phone is indeed a device that lives up to the reputation of the iconic handset.
Aside from having organized folders, new customizable settings and multi tasking, the iPhone 4 also features a front facing camera. This new addition has been on the wish lists of Apple iPhone users since the 2G version came out. Now, about three years later, the feature has been added.
While we all celebrated the news when it was announced a couple of months back, the joy suddenly turned to disappointment after Apple suddenly announced the FaceTime app that would be limiting how users will be able to use the new front facing camera. Video chat is only enabled for WiFi networks, and only other iPhone 4 users can be contacted.
Not only was the new rule restrictive, but it basically made any reason for owning a handset with a front facing camera a moot point. The VoIP specialists of Fring however, had different ideas in their mind.
The new Fring app turns the Apple iPhone 4 into the handset that it is supposed to be –at least, in terms of video calling capabilities. Video calls can now be done on 3G and WiFi, depending on the preference of the user. Also the iPhone 4 will allow users to chat with Android and Symbian handset owners too.
This video chat app for the Apple iPhone 4 is already out and users can download it straight from the Apple iTunes store.
Apple’s Solution: Not Working
According to Apple, there is no problem with the antenna on the iPhone 4. The issue is that users are not able to make calls when they are in areas with low reception. Unfortunately, since the iPhone 4 (and all the other iPhones) are not able to show the proper amount of signal strength in a given location, users are unable to determine where they should be able to make a call.
Now that is basically how we sum up Apple’s recently posted letter regarding the iPhone 4 issue. In order to rectify the situation, Apple has decided that they would be releasing a new patch that would accurately depict the signal strength in a given area. This is hard to believe. Sure, Apple is pointing out a real problem with the iOS, but that is not the root of the antenna issue.
The root of the antenna issue is the antenna itself. The problem here is that the phone loses all reception when that antenna is touched by a hand. Hands apparently, have not been tested properly at Apple’s super sterilize laboratories. Apparently, a dirty, greasy hand is more likely to drain signal than newly washed hands wearing sterilized gloves in a tech room.
While Apple’s letter will not fix your iPhone’s antenna, here is a quick list of solutions that do work. First off, use nail polish. When we do not exactly recommend this tip that has been circulating the net, it does take minimum effort and is a great fit for those who do not want to resort to using a large case. And that is another solution; getting a case. Since this would prevent the hand from touching the antenna directly -that will no longer be an issue.
Lastly, unsatisfied users can return the handset within 14 days of purchase –and buy an Android smart phone instead.
Smart Phone GPS: Splitting the Demographic Map
Back then, people just needed any GPS. Typically, a standard GPS device would provide you with just as much information as other would. While some had extra features such as points of interests, the common features were all one and the same. Of course, the big defining factor was also the fact that the service was paid for.
But these days, getting access to voice guided sat nav is a simple matter of turning on the feature on your smart phone. Many Nokia handsets have the feature, and so does all Android smart phones that have GPS and use versions 1.6 Donut and above, like the popular HTC Desire.
Many believe that the emergence and growth of GPS on smart phone technology will be killing off companies such as Garmin and TomTom. While these may seem likely, the reality is far from such. Aside from the fact that Garmin and TomTom are established, reliable and well respected brands in the GPS industry, they also cater to a very specific market of people who cannot afford to switch to the free GPS services offered by mobile phone makers: professional who need very accurate GPS services.
These include the police, delivery personnel, medical response teams, and other groups and institutions that have to rely on “paid” maps –maps that they can count on (or sue the company if the data contained is misleading or incorrect).
While Nokia and Google’s maps are often more than enough for the average person, they are also not accountable for the accuracy of the data they supply.
With that said, it is obviously more than enough for the average person to use the free voice guided sat nav services as opposed to having to pay a monthly service (with the average cost of a high end smart phone –it is something that is almost expected now). According to recent news, free GPS is now being brought to the iPhone thanks to Skobbler.
Why the HTC Desire is in the Running for the Best Smartphone of 2010
Picking a competent mobile phone to purchase for one’s personal use is hard enough. There are literally hundreds of different available models in the market and for the uneducated consumer, it can truly be confusing. Perhaps an even more difficult task is identifying the best Smartphone for the whole year. There are just too many categories to consider and way too much mobiles to choose from. However, one Smartphone that we believe should be on the list of any critic is the highly impressive HTC Desire. Here are some reasons why we believe so.
The Screening Process
If we were to identify a number of outstanding features of the HTC Desire, then one of them has got to be its mega-sized 3.7-inch touch screen display. Not only is it one of the largest in the business, but it also delivers picture quality of the highest calibre (480 x 800-pixel resolution). The screen also makes use of the AMOLED capacitive technology which guarantees hassle-free and extremely responsive touch functions on the device.
Improving the Android
The Google Android is already quite impressive in itself. However, what the HTC Desire does is it pairs it up with its Sense UI, thereby creating a one-of-a-kind combination that duly delivers. This is by far the best UI + OS combo we’ve ever experienced and the fact that the Anroid Eclair (the OS version installed on the Desire) was already top class even before it was infused with the Sense UI makes the enhanced combination all the more impressive.
On the Horizon
While all the praises sent towards the way of the HTC Desire are all well and good, one thing we must keep in mind is that 2010 is also the year that has seen the launch of the latest addition to the iPhone family – the Apple iPhone 4G. The 3G performed pretty well in the market since it was launched last year and if this is any indication of how the 4G will do, then the Desire will definitely have its work cut out for it.
Vodafone UK Now Offering the Android Wildfire
It looks like we will not be running out of Android options for the coming months. Considering the current lineup of smart phones for manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and others, there are going to be plenty of Android devices coming out in the next few months and the HTC Wildfire is one such device.
Fortunately for this HTC made Android smart phone, it brings together a good mix of features and provides an excellent degree of social network integration that makes it stand out among the many other Android smart phones available on the market.
Outright, this smart phone was made for user who access social networking sites very often. The Wildfire was designed for major Twitter and Facebook users, which means that if you love checking the latest status updates and would punctuate every major decision with a Tweet, then this smart phone is a match for you.
The device not only makes accessing social network accounts easy, it also brings in Flicker, YouTube, Picasa and more. These web media sharing services are quite important since that allow users to easily upload and share media with friends a family –an important consideration for anyone who uses social networking heavily.
Aside from that, the device also comes with multimedia playback capabilities as well. The Wildfire’s media player can handle a wide range of music and video formats, and the built in camera can take high resolution images and video.
The device itself comes with a nice 3.2 inch TFT capacitive touch screen display, a 5 mega pixel camera, a 528 MHz CPU and of course, Android 2.1 Éclair. So far, no word has been given as to when an update to version 2.2 Froyo will be available but with the HTC Desire getting a patch in the next few days; it would not be long before the Wildfire also gets an update as well.
First Hand Look: Samsung’s Galaxy S
The Samsung i9000 Galaxy S is the best mobile phone available from the Korean mobile phone manufacturer. With several other Galaxy devices already released, the Galaxy S is the culmination of all the impressive features and hardware made by Samsung. Of course, there is an upcoming Galaxy device that will surpass the i9000, but until the Galaxy Tape is officially available, this handset will still remain as the king of the hill.
When it comes to determining why the i9000 Galaxy S is considered to be the best Android Samsung has got, there are a wide range of features to consider. First off, the device is using the super AMOLED capacitive touch screen. And while this is not the first smart phone to use the technology (the Wave has a 3.3 inch version of this display), the Samsung Galaxy S has the largest so far at 4 inches diagonally. This provides the handset with very clear and solid graphics. The colors are deep and realistic, even the black tones on the display look like real blacks as opposed to simply being gray as with other touch screens.
The ARM Cortex A8 processor is clocked at 1GHz; this provides the handset with the power and speed it needs to match the performance of its Snapdragon powered competitors, the Nexus One, XPERIA X10 and the HTC Desire. The 5 mega pixel camera may sound unimpressive, but it can take videos at a 720p HD quality at 30 frames per second.
The phone’s 8GB of internal memory is complemented with its support for microSD cards, and the device will support up to 32GB cards.
It has also been announced that a Galaxy S Pro smart phone is currently in the works. Initial reports state that the new version will be a US carrier exclusive handset, though many believe that the UK release is highly probable. The Pro version of the Galaxy smart phone will have a slide out QWERTY keyboard.
Nokia’s N8 Handset: Not Quite the Symbian Super Phone
It seems that Nokia is also intent in making a foothold in the high end smart phone market range. For many years, Nokia has stayed on top of the game by dominating the mid to low range markets. While they would also release the occasional super expensive high end smart phone, they were easily outmatched by Apple’s iPhone and the newer Android smart phones.
The release of the Nokia N8 Symbian^3 smart phone is considered to be a defining point for Nokia, as they try to show the industry that they can dominate on all fields, sadly the N8 does not cut the cake as it was supposed to do.
In terms of form factor, Nokia’s got all the futuristic edginess right, except when it comes to the slightly awkward looking back side of the device. The 12 mega pixel camera juts out at a very unattractive bulge that makes it seem that the camera was just jammed into the handset at the last minute.
The 3.5 inch OLED capacitive touch screen display gives gloriously beautiful graphics. While not on the same level as Samsung’s super AMOLED screen, Nokia still manages to push their technological weight around. The biggest thing pulling the phone down is the slow ARM 11 680MHz CPU. While the core is essentially not slow at all, it still pales in comparison to the high speed Snapdragon and ARM Cortex A8 CPUs that are clocked at 1GHz.
In the end, Nokia is successful in making a great mid range handset that brings plenty of value for the cost. As a high end device however, the N8 still lacks plenty in the power department, and the Symbian^3, despite being already open source, still has plenty to go before it can compete with the Android OS.
If Nokia makes more phones like these, then the mid range market will be a three way contest between the Symbian^3, Bada and Android OS.
Mobile Phone Deals for Desire, Wildfire and Bold 9700
If you are itching to buy a new smart phone, then you might want to check on the following offerings from the various network operators. In this list, we are covering the impressive Android smart phones HTC Desire and HTC Wildfire, as well as Blackberry’s Bold 9700.
Of the three, the HTC Desire is getting the most attention from interested smart phone buyers. The device is packed to the brim with features and has hardware that can match that of the Nexus One. This phone has a 5 mega pixel camera, a 3.7 inch AMOLED touch screen display, a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and of course, the Android 2.1 Éclair operating system.
Orange Mobile UK is offering the handset on a couple of really tempting deals; at 25 Pounds a month for 18 months (Dolphin 25 plan), nets you the phone for free with 500 MB of data allowance each month. T-Mobile UK offers the handset at a similar rate, with an 18 month contract with a 25 Pound tariff. The only difference is that T-Mobile gives a better deal with the data allowance –giving users a full 1GB of data.
If the Desire is a little too expensive for your tastes, then you might want to go for the HTC Wildfire. This handset is basically the Desire Lite –with lesser hardware capabilities, but extended social networking functions. Vodafone UK offers the Wildfire for a very low cost of 15 Pounds a month for 24 months. Users will get 300 minutes of talk time, unlimited messages and about 500 MB of data allowance.
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is the perfect choice for heavy email users thanks to BB’s impressive OS and the portrait QWERTY keyboard. 3 Mobile UK has announced that their plans for the Bold 9700 include on that nets users the device for free at 20 Pounds each month for 24 months. This package deal gives 500 MB of data allowance too.
Mobile Platform Round Up: A Quick Look at Today’s Choices
There are plenty of operating systems out there, and while one can name at least three major mobile platforms, we can be sure that many more will be added in the years to come. Here is a quick look at some of the operating systems that are being used today.
Apple’s iPhone OS is making plenty of news with the announcement of the new iPhone, but even the OS itself has already been making headlines. Putting aside the issue with the SDK’s license agreement, the new iPhone OS is actually more of the old Apple features with a brand new look and some faux-multitasking capabilities added in. It is not all that impressive, but aside from the things that Apple still refuses to give (tethering, WiFi syncing), there really is nothing much to improve on the older features.
The Google Android operating system has to be the most famous OS of the time. With thousands of apps being added in each week and the number of users growing, the Android is an excellent choice for the average smart phone user. The apps are cheaper (many are even free) and best of all, the OS is full of fun features. The only issue with the Android is that with the many devices that are available, some phones with different hardware have compatibility problems.
Microsoft’s Windows Mobile and Windows Phone operating system are in a threshold. Windows Mobile has mostly failed in the general market but has held a steady number 2 spot in the business market. The Windows Phone 7 OS on the other hand is yet to be released and from the initial presentations, it looks ready to compete with the iPhone OS.
The Symbian^4 OS has also yet to appear on an existing device, but the world is eagerly awaiting the open source version of their latest OS version.