Latest Mobile Phone News

Toshiba’s tablet comes loaded with Android 2,2, the most recent Android upgrade and, at 10,1 inches, the Folio 100 has slightly more screen real estatethanthe iPad. It boasts a 16GB solid state hard drive, with another 32GB of storage available via SDHC card. There’s an HDMI connection for running movies to your TV, Bluetooth and N Wi-Fi for speedy web browsing and app downloads from Android Market. Unlike the iPad the Folio 100 runs Flash 10.1, letting you access all the videos on the net, and sports a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for video confc’ccing. With a 3G version on the way, the Folio 100 is proof that there’s more to tablets than the iPad.

Popularity: 4%

We were wondering how HTC would respond to the release of the iPhone 4 and we’re pleased to say it didn’t disappoint. HTC’s riposte, the Desire HD, comes packing a larger 4.3-inch screen, Android 2.2, an eight-megapixel camera and a new, smarter version of HTC Sense which includes an eBook reader, more accurate mapping and priority email.

The Details

1. Screen – A huge 4.3 inches of multi-touch screen, with a 800×400 resolution

2. New Sense – The upgraded Sense III shows your friends’ Facebook status when they ring, lets you choose VIP contacts whose emails will he prioritised, and can download maps to use when you’re offline

3. The Clouth – HTCsense.com is a new cloud service that locates your HTC phone if you’ve mislaid it and lets you lock it remotely. You can also archive your contact book

4. eBooks – You Can now read, highlight and annotate eBooks on the new Sense interface

5. Sound – As well as the big screen you’ve got Dolby Mobile and SRS surround sound

6. Froyo – The HTC Desire HD runs Android 2.2, for optimised memory and speed, with full support for Flash 10.1

7. Camera – There’s an eight-megapixel camera with dual LED flash, capable of recording 720p HD video

8. Storage – There’s 1.5GB of storage on board, plus a microSD slot

9. Processor – The Desire HD has the same processor as its predecessor the Desire,

clocking in at 1GHz

10. Headphones – The 3.5mm jack sits on the bottom of the handset

Popularity: 5%

The Nano’s makeover is a bold step and you’re not going to be doing much pinching to zoom on the Tiny Nano Touchscreen only time will tell if the smaller format will be a hit. We think it may prove to be one of Apple’s less popular efforts, good though it is. We didn’t think much of the third-gen Shuffle and sure enough, Apple has returned to the design of the second-generation one this time around, putting the buttons back on the case rather than making you use the ones on the headphone cable. The VoiceOver feature is retained, speaking track info at the push of a button. The device is still incredibly small, of course.

Although it’s early days, Apple’s music-based social networking service Ping isn’t looking very strong. It’s designed to help you discover new artists by receiving tailored music recommendations and following what your friends are listening to. One million users signed up in the first three days but Ping is underwhelming to use. We reckon casual listeners are likely to stick with Facebook or even MySpace, while hardcore music fans would be better served by Spotify or LastFM.

Popularity: 3%

Apple’s annual autumn product announcement put the iPod range back in the spotlight with the Touch revamped, the Nano changing beyond all recognition and the Shuffle continuing to be the Shuffle. Apple also unveiled its new social networking feature Ping, integrating this music discovery service into iTunes 10, and a free iOS 4.1 update for the Touch and iPhone. The Touch is Apple’s most successful iPod and the fourth-gen model is better than ever. Just 7.2mm deep, it’s also the slimmest ever and with its metal back it’s noticeably sleeker in the hand and pocket than the iPhone 4, Apple has added the same 960×640 resolution screen introduced on that phone, seriously sharpening video playback, web pages, eBooks, photos and games.

The Touch also gains a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime video chats over Wi-Fi and a rear one that takes two-meg stills and shoots very reasonable 720p HD video. Neither are as good as on the iPhone 4 and there’s no flash, but it’s still a handy addition. The sixth generation Nano has received the most radical design overhaul of the new intake, ditching the rectangular body and click wheel of yore for a touchscreen and squared off, more Shuffle-sized chassis. According to Apple it’s just under half the size and weight of its predecessor, which is great for easy portability. At that size, you’re not going to do a lot of pinching to zoom, but the 1.54 inches are fine for swiping through menus. The addition of a sturdy Shuffle-esque clip will appeal to joggers, who previously relied on armbands. A built-in pedometer helps you monitor your fitness regime, or add a Nike+ transmitter to turn the Nano into a more sophisticated workout tool.

Popularity: 4%

Created in 1997, HTC was originally a computer manufacturer –HTC stands for High Tech Computers –but it was its move into the smartphone market that put the company on the map. In 2002 HTC unveiled the world’s first Windows-powered  smartphone, the Orange SPV. HTC continued to create Windows phones for the likes of O2, with success stories like the O2 XDA range, but HTC’s aim was to be involved in every stage of its phones’ development. HTC’s setup is unique as its manufacturing and design all takes place in one compound, ensuring the HTC brand remains unified. HTC’s decision to become involved in the design process of its smartphones has been the key to its success. HTC has been involved in Google’s Android operating system since its infancy and by adding its own design and UI flourishes to the open source OS it’s hit gold.

Android’s OS has been buffed and tweaked to a high sheen by HTC’s designers, with its bespoke HTC Sense experience making Android slicker and more intuitive to operate. Sense debuted on the HTC Hero and duly propelled it to its Phone of the Year win in 2009. The design of a handset is just as important as the OS and this is another area where HTC excels. The HTC Legend was a first in handset design, being sculpted from a single block of aluminium. The HTC Desire, Phone of the Year at Awards 2010, is another design classic, with its responsive, 3.7-inch OLED screen the perfect show case for the HTC Sense experience. It’s been a stellar few years for HTC, then, but don’t expect our mobile phone champion to rest on its laurels any time soon. With the announcement of the HTC Desire HD and HTC Desire Z, the company’s success looks sure to continue into 2011 and beyond…

Popularity: 3%

HTC may need to expand its awards cabinet. This year it’s scooped the coveted prize of Tech Brand of the Year, as well as retaining its Phone of the Year gong with the HTC Desire.It’s been a rapid rise to glory for the Taiwanese company, taking it from  cult Windows Mobile handset manufacturer to a producer of market-leading Android smartphones capable of troubling the iPhone in just three years. It’s been quite a journey…

HTC Desire Specifications

OS Android 2.2 with Sense

PROCESSOR Snapdragon 1GHz

STORAGE 512MB + microSD

SCREEN 3.7-inch, 800×480

CONNECTIVITY 7.2 Mbps HSDPA,GWi-Fi

Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR,A-GPS, 3.5mm audio

CAMERA 5megapixels, autofocus, LED flash

VIDEO 800×480 at 15fps

SIZE 119x60x12mm

WEIGHT 135g

Popularity: 6%

Love it or hate it, the iPhone is the smartphone to beat. The latest version as usual sports the coolest  looks, the simplest OS and the biggest range of apps by far as well as adding social gaming network Game Center, a much better camera  and, despite what you may have heard, improved reception. With the same processor as the iPad it’s speedy as hell to boot. The iPhone 4 is very well built. We’ve dropped ours several times and had no ill effects despite the massive noise that the toughened glass case makes on landing. Another headline feature is the outstanding, high-resolution LCD screen. The Phone’s multimedia capabilities are generally hard to beat: the five-meg camera produces high quality stills in decent light and exceptional HD video for a phone.

The music player is the same as on an iPod Touch and video playback is also remarkably good thanks to the hi-res screen. The new Game Center lets you show off your achievements and high scores and take on rivals over Wi-Fi. By no means all games support it as yet but some best sellers such as Flight Control do. Our only reservation is that it’s remarkably ugly for an Apple app. Battery  life is reasonable, though you’ll still have to charge it at least once a day. Reception, call quality and messaging are all very good, if not exceptional. The keyboard is excellent, helped by the best error correction around. All told the iPhone 4 is sleek, sexy and a joy to use. The only problem with the device is its sheer ubiquity – if everyone else has got one, it can’t very well be considered cool.

Popularity: 4%

So you’re a Nokia devotee who’s longwanted a high quality touchscreen smart phone? Your long wait is over. Far better than the likes of the X6 and N97 the Nokia N8 is a neatly styled, high powered phone that feels new yet familiar. At first glance, it’s too familiar: the Symbian 3 OS looks like earlier Nokia interfaces. It’s more intuitive though, and better optimised for touch with a gentle haptic response. Pre-installed apps include the impressive BBC iPlayer widget, which can be watched on your HDTV thanks to the mini-HDMI output and supplied cable – the pin-sharp quality of the phone is substantially diminished when blown up to a 40-incher, of course. Generally, the N8 is great for video and media playback. There’s also Ovi Maps, the free satnav system.

Cleverly, you can use this for effective navigation without needing a data connection, so it’s ideal for use overseas where data costs can becr ippling. TheN8 has easily the best camera here, with a 12-meg sensor, Carl Zeiss lens, mechanical shutter and xenon flash. The only down sides are that the large sensor means the lens juts out a bit. Calling and texting are good, though we’d have liked to have been able to use the QWERTY virtual keyboard in portrait. The web browser is fast and includes Flash video playback. Best of all, the battery life is excellent; the N8 will easily last you two days between charges. This is a storming return to form for Nokia. However Symbian makes it feel more like the ultimate feature phone than a direct smartphone rival to the Desire or iPhone 4.

Popularity: 14%

iPad & iPhone User regulars can get every issue and save 30% on the shop prices by taking out a subscription direct with us. With an iPad & iPhone User subscription, you’ll get the magazine delivered straight to your door, so you don’t have to keep an eye out for copies at the news agents. We also deliver the first run from the press direct to our subscribers, so they’re always the first to get the latest information. As an added bonus we’ve cut a deal with Pearson – publishers of great gadget books-enabling you to choose one of its great iPad or iPhone books for free along with your subscription.

Popularity: 6%

The first Milestone had a decent screen and a disappointing keyboard. Motorola has largely put that right with the new Milestone, improving the QWERTY by removing the pointless direction pad and adding larger, better-spaced keys. It still has some way to go to compete with the Torch’s keyboard, but it’s the best on an Android. The inclusion of the MotoBlur overlay also makes the Milestone 2 a more enticing proposition. In veterate social networkers will like the way it very fluidly aggregates different forms of communication from your contacts. MotoBlur also backs up your data to the cloud, which could prove extremely handy. In conjunction with Android 2.2, the Milestone 2 is generally fun to use.

Motorola has provided simple ways to navigate across the seven home screens and there are also some good widgets, including a strip of icons to easily turn N Wi-Fi, aeroplane mode, GPS and Bluetooth on or off from the home scre en. Web browsing is fast and video playback smooth. It’s also Flash-compatible so more of the internet is visible than on the iPhone 4. However, although the 1GHz processor  keeps most things running at a good clip, the touchscreen can be annoyingly slow to respond. With the camera taking decent five-meg stills and very good 720p video, this is a strong handset. However the feeling remains that there’s nothing exceptional about it. You might be better off waiting for the Desire Z if you want Android 2.2 with a QWERTY keyboard…

Popularity: 8%

LG’s first Windows Phone 7 handset is impressive: chic and solid in its full metal jacket. The 3.8-inch screen is bright and sharp and the world’s newest mobile OS is responsive thanks to the Optimus 7’s 1GHz chip – BlackBerry take note. Windows Phone7 is as slick as WindowsMobile was, er, not so slick. It looks refreshingly different from the icon-grids found on most other smartphones, with an eyecatching ribbon of tiles and hubs. The People tile constantly changes the snaps of Facebook contacts and the Xbox Lives quares hows your gaming avatar nudging in and out of shot. It’s a neat balance of the overall design which is Microsoft’s and your own customisation. Xbox Live integration creates a formidable gaming platform with a fleet of launch titles, including Flight Control and The Sims3 , with many more on the way.

You can play turn-based multiplayer games too. One of the stipulations of Windows Phone 7 is that the camera button will activate the five-meg camera even if the phone is asleep. One long press and you’re ready to shoot stills or HD video. There’s refreshingly little shutter lag and it’s easy to upload images straight to Facebook or paste them into an email. On the Pictures hub you’ll find shots you’ve taken on the phone plus images from Facebook. It’s all very neatly done. What’s odd about the OS is that WinMo’s business element seems to have been relegated to an after thought. You get the trusty Office suite and Cloud storage from Skydive, but there’s no cut, copy and paste– it’s not going to arrive until 2011. That’s just bloodyweird on a Windows phone.

Popularity: 7%

Previous touchscreen BlackBerrys hurled the baby out with the bath water, ditching the brand’s always excellent keyboards in the rush to join the cool kids. The Torch rectifies that, sitting its most comfortable QWERTY yet under a large, responsive touchscreen. It’s chunky as a result, but still smart. The touchscreen/QWERTY combo feels natural, not cut-and shut. If you want to dial a number without opening the phone, a virtual keypad appears on screen. You can do the same with text messages but given how luxuriously spaced and satisfying the QWERTY is, you won’t find yourself doing so often. The Torch comes with the new BlackBerry OS 6. Based around swoppable screens – Frequent, Media, Downloads and a customisable Favourites one – it’s easy to navigate, with a tap on the info bar at thet op of the screen calling up emails, texts, Facebook updates and the latest from Twitter.

It still feels notably less slick than iOS or Android, and 624 MHz processor sometimes lags but the 3.2-inch touchscreen is quick and responsive and the accelerometer is better than most. The biggest improvement is the web browser, which looks lush, making the most of the greater screen real estate. There’s also a decent five-meg camera with flash, and the battery should last most users twodays between charges. As ever with BlackBerry, email is the best available, being fast, reliable and secure, while BlackBerry Messenger lets you send unlimited free messages to BlackBerry users. This is the best BlackBerry to date. It’s still not the complete smartphone package but for frequent messengers, nothing else comes close.

Popularity: 13%

The Samsung Galaxy Tab has attracted a lot of attention as th efirst serious rival to Apple’s iPad. Running Android 2.2 (Froyo), the seven-inch plasticencased tablet is half the weight of the iPad, at 380g, and you can make phone calls on it. It’s the missing link between the iPad and the Dell Streak, but will it be a success? First up, though it’s smaller than the iPad’s, the seven-inch screen is nonetheless bright, sharp and very responsive to pinches, taps and swipes.

Video playback – even of HD video scaled down to the Tab’s 1024×600-pixel resolution–is smooth and watchable thanks to the Tab’s 1GHz processor. Samsung obviously thinks video will be a big selling point as there’s a dedicated Samsung Movies app on hand to access well-stocked video download service AceTrax. There’s plenty of storage for all that video too, with 16 or 32GB of onboard memory and a microSD slot for up to a further 32GB. Unlike on the iPad you can make calls and send texts using 3G and it takes a standard SIM not a micro one.

Hands-free voice quality isn’t bad, though it’s hard to picture anyone using the Tab for voice calls without a Bluetooth earpiece–it’s even bigger than the comically large Dell Streak. The supplied browser is swift and with Froyo you get Flash compatibility but, as with all Androids, a new browser such as Dolphin HD, free from Android Market, makes browsing a more pleasurable experience, adding tabs and customisable gesture controls. There’s a rear-facing three-meg camera and a front-facing 1.3-meg cam for video calling, although Skype doesn’t support video calls on Android, it’s voice only.

Popularity: 36%

For the lover of using Mozilla Firefox as their favored mobile web browser, if you own an Android or Maemo gadget you may like to know that Mozilla has now unconfined the Firefox 4 Release Candidate for Android and Maemo. According to sources, Mozilla went live with Firefox 4 RC on Monday and is now accessible to download to your chosen Android apparatus as a free download from the Android Market or for the Maemo packing Nokia N900 from Mozilla. Actually this latest build of the mobile Firefox browser conveys a better generally customer experience, improved Firefox sync, faster scrolling, Smart screen shortcuts, Firefox add-ons, Persona themes, and tabbed browsing.

Popularity: 2%

Blackboard has expanded access to its mobile learning application with an updated release that lets students and faculty create and upload content to their courses. The redesigned user interface supports threaded discussions and the ability to set “favorites” for easier access and management. The app is free to Blackboard subscribers.

Popularity: 1%