The latest iPhone Update 3.0

Apple has announced the release of its latest software update for their latest business mobile phone, the iPhone, which is version 3.0. Apple have introduced new features such as cut/paste and the ability to send MMS. Whilst they claim these to be advanced new features they are in fact standard on most mobile phones.
• Updates to the media player now alter the streaming video quality depending on the current available bandwidth/coverage.
• MMS send/receive.
• Send multiple images at once.
• Larger landscape keyboard can now be used in Mail as well as Safari.
• Extended search facility.
• Support for Bluetooth A2DP.
• Modem tethering.
• Voice memo interface.
• Cut, copy and paste.

Scott Forstall has said that the client part of tethering would be available in iPhone 3.0, but the carrier segment was still under development with carriers. It’s likely carriers will be concerned about increased bandwidth utilisation (and associated costs) of allowing iPhone users to tether to their laptops. They already have to provide unlimited data on iPhone packages at Apple’s request.

Airtime Manager recommend you look at their BlackBerry for business users as an alternative to the iPhone

Vodafone 3G Connection Speeds – 20 Mbps

Vodafone claims to have achieved one of the fastest 3G data connections possible [at 20 Mbps] during trials of the HSPA+ MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology.

At present Vodafone offers broadband speeds of up to 7.2Mbps, which is among the fastest on the market, but the latest breakthrough could help raise service speeds. “These test results mean that we will be able to derive even more value from our existing 3G infrastructure while raising the quality of service for our customers.”

MIMO technology effectively uses two antennas in both the handset and the base station to split the radio signal into two separate streams enhancing network capacity as well as the user experience even in dense urban environments.

“Breaking the 20 Mbps peak speed barrier in tests through HSPA+ MIMO is yet another key milestone in the evolution of 3G Mobile Broadband technology and raises the prospect of higher network performance for our customers in selected hotspots,” explained Andy MacLeod, Global Networks Director of Vodafone.

Unfortunately deploying 64QAM and MIMO technology will require purchasing new HSPA+-compatible mobile broadband devices so these speeds will not be arriving for the foreseeable future.

Vodafone USB Modems

Vodafone Data Cards

HTC Magic with Google Android

Coming soon to Airtime Manager, the HTC Magic. This busines mobile phone will be available on Vodafone. This phone will have all that you love about the internet and exactly how you want it. This HTC phone will keep you entertained and up to date wherever you are.

Sleek, stylish and exclusive to Vodafone, the Magic is powered by cutting edge technology. It provides the Google suite of services like Mail, Search and Maps geared up for use in the palm of your hand. Further enhanced with video capture and support for tunes via Bluetooth wireless headsets, the HTC Magic is a true entertainment and media powerhouse.

The HTC Magic’s 3.2 megapixel camera shoots photos in sharp focus. You can admire the results on its extra large high-resolution screen. Or upload your photos for your friends to see – with superfast internet, they’ll upload in a flash.

htc magic phone

One-touch access to mobile Internet

Access to your favourite Google applications like Gmail™/Google Mail™, YouTube™, Google Maps™, Google Talk™, Calendar and Google™ Search.

3.5G & Wi-Fi
High-speed 3.5G network connection and Wi-Fi technology with seamless transition to open networks.

3.2 Megapixel Color Camera
3.2 megapixel color camera with auto focus for quality image and video capture.

microSD™
microSD™ (SD 2.0 compatible) expansion slot for all your storage needs.

3.2-inch touch-sensitive screen with HVGA
3.2-inch touch-sensitive screen with HVGA (320 X 480 pixel) resolution.

A2DP
Support for Bluetooth wireless stereo headsets (A2DP).

Summary of the HTC Magic’s features

* HSDPA
* Built in GPS navigation
* 3.0 – 4.0 megapixel
* 3G
* GPRS
* WiFi
* Triband
* Bluetooth
* Built in GPS navigation
* Touch screen
* Vodafone Mobile Internet
* Email
* Games
* MP3 player
* Camera / Video
* Alarm clock
* Calendar
* Handsfree headset
* White
* Touch screen

www.airtimemanager.co.uk

Nokia set Ovi live

Mail on Ovi, the free email account from Nokia, is now ‘live’ and can be set up directly on Nokia phones without requiring a PC to get started. People who use Nokia Series 40 devices can create their own email address directly on their mobile phones. The Ovi email account gives a person all the features and functionalities of a typical PC-based email account. During the Beta period, consumers will be able to choose from 12 languages based on the settings of their device, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Hindi, Bengali, Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Malaysia.

“We’re creating a mindset shift with mobile messaging. Mail on Ovi is the first-ever email service which allows people to create an account directly on their mobile phone, and start using it right away” said Senior Vice President Tom Furlong, who oversees Consumer Messaging initiatives within Nokia’s Services & Software organization. “Rather than focusing purely on push email for the world’s most advanced mobile users, we are mobilizing email across Nokia’s mainstream device portfolio, while giving consumers in emerging markets their first email account, Mail on Ovi, as well as their very own internet identity. These people are the new ‘mobile digital natives’ who will exclusively use their mobile phones for email and internet, rather than a PC.”

Mobile phone users from India, Malaysia and the Philippines have been able to use the Beta service since November, with extremely encouraging results, and the availablity is now being extended to the rest of the world.

Mail on Ovi

Nokia has launched more than 35 Nokia Series 40 device models which immediately enable the creation of the Mail on Ovi email account. As of October 2008, Nokia has shipped more than 110 million of such devices globally.

Go to Adam Phones for: Cellular phone rental, BlackBerry phone hire, and Japanese phone hire

The Touchy Feely BlackBerry Storm

There are few phones on the market that get rave reviews. The BlackBerry Storm appears to be one of them. Below are videos of an independent review by The Gadget Show’s Jason Bradbury – he just couldn’t get enough of the Storm’s new touch screen.

Read all about the BlackBerry Storm at Airtime Manager

Jason then goes on to look at the BlackBerry Storm’s Messaging [Push email] which he says should go down well with the business community as well on everyday users of mobile phones. Many people who use BlackBerries tend to carry an additional phone for everyday mobile calls – perhaps the Storm could put an end to this.

Read all about the BlackBerry Storm at Airtime Manager

The Storm looks good but it’s Multimedia characteristics are also really good. Jason suggests you could easily watch a film on the phone. The Storm also has high quality music amongst other things.

BlackBerry Storm Specs

Vodafone BlackBerry Storm Review

This is a review of the Vodafone BlackBerry Storm which Airtime Manager has managed to get it’s hands on. As this is only a pre-release model we will do a more detailed review at a later date.

.  On initial investigation the device looks similar to the BlackBerry Bold in terms of look and feel. Both devices are similar in dimension and the Storm looks just as sleek.  Where as many touch screen devices have a fragility about them, the Storm feels sturdy.

The highlight of the BlackBerry Storm is its touch screen system called “ClickThrough”.  To make a selection the user simply “clicks” on the on screen icon. Compared to previous devices the touch screen navigation may take some time getting used to.  However, once mastered the navigation is simple and the

As one would expect the BlackBerry user interface has been modified to accommodate the new touch screen.  It has automatic portrait/landscape switching depending on the orientation of the device which is useful when browsing the web and typing emails. In portrait mode the keyboard has the SureType 2 letter per key system and when flicked to landscape you have the full QWERTY keyboard.

Future of mobile phones = the internet

The future of mobile device applications is that users will be able to “access it, mix it up, save it, and store it”

Mitchell Baker, chair of Firefox developer Mozilla, is looking to make mobiles just like the internet so that all of the functionality should be the same as if it were a laptop or phone, at home or on a train.

Marc Davis of Yahoo added some weight behind Ms Baker’s comments by saying there’s no doubt that the future is about mobility:

“The mobile web is not just about accessing the web from your phone,” he said “Mobile phones that are location aware, temporarily situated and socially connected will transform our experience of the web, the world and ourselves.”

Just as Yahoo and Firefox are using widgets to make mobiles more like the internet, Nokia has announced the next stage of its Widget platform for Symbian Series 60 smartphones .

The new stage will give developers access to GPS, contacts book, communications stacks, e-mail and SMS functions on the phone.

Review: Samsung i850 camera phone

Samsung’s i850 8-megapixel camera phone has just been officially launched in the UK. Renamed the INNOV8, this is one of the best camera phones on the market with it’s 8-megapixel camera, Autofocus, blink shot, smile shot, face recognition and double LED flash all at the touch of a button.

samsung 850i

Video is the Samsung INNOV8 i850 specialty. The media player can handle WMV, DivX, Real Player and Mpeg4 video; all of which is stored on its SD expandable and 16GB models.

If music is your thing the Samsung i850 has a jack which you can plug into your own home speakers and have all your favourite MP3’s through your home speakers which has 3D surround sound.

In terms of looks the Samsung i850 looks identical to the Nokia N95.

Summary of what the Samsung INNov8 i8510 has:

• – QVGA (320×240) video: very impressed with how our movie looked on the screen despite being shot outside on an overcast day.
• – Slow-motion video shooting at 1/4 and 1/8 speeds – Slow-motion video is a fairly new feature on cell phones.
• – Has a protective lens shutter that opens and shuts automatically. This is really useful for protecting the phone whilst in your pocket. Few cameras have this featrue. The shutter on the i8510 opens when you’re shooting and closes when the phone is no longer in use.
• – A bright 2.8-inch screen: The screen just looks fantastic in either portrait or landscape mode. However, it’s highly-reflective so overhead light can be an issue.
• – 16GB of storage is big enough to hold an entire vacation full of photos and videos or hours and hours of music.
• – Wi-Fi – this 3G-capable phone also sports Wi-Fi.
• – Symbian OS: Symbian is popular in Europe and Asia. The question is if the U.S. version will have a different OS.
• – Optical controller – You navigate around the screen by moving your finger above the control pad, which is like an inverted optical mouse. You don’t have to actually touch the pad to move, but you can if you prefer that clicking action.


Verdict – The i8510 is an impressive phone, particularly  the video.

 

 

BlackBerry Thunder turns into a Storm

According to pocket-lint.co.uk sources have confirmed that Vodafone UK’s up and coming new device, the  BlackBerry touchscreen (BlackBerry Thunder/Storm/95XX) is to drop the name “Thunder” in favor of the “Storm”.  It is believed that the new BlackBerry will hit the shops in October. It has also been confirmed to Pocket-lint that the new business smartphone from RIM will be available before November in time for Christmas, with an official announcement from RIM, the maker of the BlackBerry, due at the start of October.

Officially it has not yet been confirmed by Vodafone UK that they will sell the Storm.

BlackBerry Storm

Samsung i8510 reveiw

This new phone is set to make quite the impact. It is the first mobile phone to have a 8 megapixel camera. Is is possible that digital cameras might one day be replaced by the mobile phone? Hmm, I doubt it but these devices will certainly eat into the digital camera market [by how much - that is anyone's guess]. Having said that just because the phone has an 8 meg camera does not improve the quality of the picture.

The Samsung i8510 smartphone certainly has a lot to offer with its 8 megapixel autofocus camera that offers image stabilization and blink, smile, and face detection, for perfect photos. Other features include  the ability to take panoramic photographs and it can use the built in GPS receiver to geotag photos with location information. How cool is that!! The i8510 can also record QVGA video at up to 120 frames per second with a VGA-resolution video at up to 30 frames per second.  Once you have recorded a video you can even edit it in the full video editing suite on board. Personally I would wait until I get home rather than faffing around with such small controls.

The Samsung i8510 has a built-in FM radio with 3D surround sound  and a 3.5mm audio port. Added to this it has a 16GB of built-in memory and a microSD card slot for even more storage options. Wireless music is also an option by using the phone’s Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support for stereo headsets.

This Samsung smartphone is the first Samsung S60-powered to feature quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz).  It also has dual-band UMTS/HSDPA (900/2100MHz) support built-in. You also get WiFi provided which gives you another option for high-speed data. As with all good business phones, the i8510 has a huge 1200mAh battery for extended use.