This week saw the release of the iPhone on Orange, with Vodafone expected to release it early next year. For some this will solve the problem of coverage, but if you’re tied into a contract with O2 it’s not really going to help you much until you’re out of commitment with O2.

The good news is that as the phone is no longer exclusive to one network, O2 have agreed to unlock all pay monthly iPhone handsets – allowing you to use an alternative sim card in the handset if you want to.  You’ll still need to pay O2 your usual line rental each month, but at least you’ll be able to use a sim card from a different network in the phone. You can find more details on what you need to do to unlock your phone on my post that explains “How to Unlock your iPhone“

Unlock your iPhone to use it on any UK network

As you’ll still be paying for minutes and texts with O2, you might as well still use your O2 sim, but having to constantly swap sim cards over is a hassle we could all do without. To overcome this, we’ve just launched the Twin Sim Charging Case for the iPhone 3G & iPhone 3GS.

The idea behind the case is simple. It works in a similar way to the Mophie Juice pack and Case-Mate fuel to charge your iPhone while it’s in the case, but also adds a twin sim adapter that allows you to have two sim cards in your iPhone at the same time as long as your iPhone is unlocked.

iPhone 3G & 3GS Twin Sim Charging Case

The Twin Sim Charging Case contains a rechargeable 1900mAh battery that can be used to charge your iPhone or extend battery life by:

• 300 hours stand by time
• 5 hours talk time
• 25 hours music playback
• 8 hours video playback
• 5 hours game play
• 6 hours Internet surfing over Wi-Fi

To recharge the battery or your iPhone, you just need to plug it into a spare USB port on your laptop or PC. You won’t need any additional cables as the case has a USB cable built in.

Having two sims in your phone opens up no end of ways to save yourself time and money:

• Better Deals: Since the iPhone launched, the number of ‘Sim Only’ tariffs available has increased significantly, with most networks offering much better deals than you can get on the iPhone. If you find you’re constantly exceeding your free minutes, get a Sim Only deal from a different network and switch to it when you’re out of minutes or texts.
• Tethering: O2 charge quite a bit for using your iPhone as a modem to connect your laptop to the internet. By using a Mobile Broadband Sim from 3, you can cut your data costs considerably.
• Calling abroad: Using a sim card from a company such as Lebara will save you money on calls abroad. By using the twin sim adapter, you can easily switch to the cheaper sim card when ever you need to make a call, without having to restart your phone or try and remove your O2 sim.
• Travelling Overseas: If you travel often, the cheapest way to make calls is by using a local sim card. Instead of buying a second phone, simply put your foreign sim in the twin sim case and switch to it when ever you’re away.
• Everything Together: If you currently use two phones, there will be times when the number you need to call is in the phone you don’t have with you. By using just one handset, all your contacts, calendar appointments and emails are with you all the time.

Fitting the Twin Sim Adapter:

Fitting the case takes just a couple of minutes, all you’ll need is your sim tray removal tool that came with your iPhone, or if like me you’ve lost it, a paperclip.

1. Remove the sim tray and attach your sim cards to the Twin Sim Reader and insert into your phone

Attach the Sim Cards to the adapter and insert into phone

2. Remove the top cover of the case and slide it onto the phone

Slide the top of the case onto the phone.

3. Fold the 2nd sim card over the top of your iPhone and clip it into place behind the USB connector. Once in place, clip the back cover onto the case.

Clip the 2nd sim into place and refit the top cover

4. To switch between sim cards, go into the Sim Applications menu within settings on your iPhone

Sim Application menu lets you chose which sim card to use.

Don’t forget though, the twin sim functionality will only work once you’ve unlocked your iPhone.

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Although the software is compatible with touch based Symbian handsets, you’ll need to download some additional software in order for the software to install successfully.

Route 66 - Sat Nav for S60 Handsets

If you’re finding that the phone is telling you that the software isn’t compatible with your phone, you’ll need to download an updated version of Route66 Sync in order for it to run on S60 V5.

To download the updated version, head over the the Route 66 Support Site

If you’re still having problems after downloading this update you’ll need to contact Route 66 technical support as there may be other files that need to be updated.

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1. FlexiShield Skin for Samsung Genio Touch

If you’re not one for leather cases, or you want a case that is a bit more practical then a FlexiShield Skin will probably suit you better. FlexiShield Skins for the Genio are thicker and tougher than standard Silicone Cases and will certainly give your phone more bounce if you drop it! It has a non slip feel to it and covers all of the back of the handset, leaving the camera free for you to take your photos.

FlexiShield Plus Skin For Samsung Genio Touch

2. Genio Touch Silicone Case

Silicone Cases are made from a soft flexible Silicone gel that covers almost all of your Genio Touch. The only parts left exposed are the screen and keypad, so you might want to invest in a screen protector to prevent scratches. Silicone cases add very little to your phone in the way of bulk or weight, and are a great way to protect your phone against minor knocks and scrapes.

Silicone Case for Samsung Genio Touch

3. InvisibleSHIELD for Genio Touch

The InvisibleSHIELD is more than just a screen protector. Not only does it cover the front screen of your Genio Touch, it also includes a tough protective film for the back of your phone. Installation takes a little bit longer than a normal screen protector, but the end result is well worth it. It covers almost all of your phone and will withstand the toughest of scrapes. The InvisibleSHIELD has a matte finish with a non slip feel to it. It is great at repelling fingerprints and reducing reflections. As the InvisibleSHIELD doesn’t add any extra bulk to your phone, you can use in in conjuction with most other Cases and Skins.

InvisibleSHIELD Full Body Protector - Samsung Genio

4. Genuine Samsung Genio Carry Pouch

Samsung Genio pouches have been crafted to fit the Genio perfectly. Their sleek design ensures protection of your Genio. The inside of the case is made of a soft material that helps protect your handsets screen from dirt and scratches.

Samsung Genio Leather Pouch

5. Bugatti Easy Out Pouch for Samsung Genio

Bugatti Easy Out cases are high quality leather cases that have a fabric strap to make removing your Genio quick and easy. They protect the screen of your phone and don’t add much extra bulk, making it a perfect choice for those who prefer to carry their phone around in their pocket or bag.

Bugatti Slim Leather EasyOut Case

We’re expecting more cases over the coming weeks and will update this post as stock arrives. If you’ve not seen the case here that’s right for you, why not take a look at our full range of Samsung Genio Touch Cases.

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The even better news is that now the iPhone is no longer exclusive to one network, O2 have agreed to unlock all pay monthly iPhone handsets for free and Pay & Go customers that have had their iPhones for more than 12 months for a one off cost of £14.69 (taken from your pre-paid credit).

Unlock your iPhone to use it on any UK network

This means that once your phone has been unlocked you’ll be able to use your iPhone on any network. You’ll still need to pay O2 your usual line rental each month, but if you were an early adopter of the iPhone 3G, this could be as little as 2 months.

To get O2 to unlock your iPhone, simply head over to http://shop.o2.co.uk/update/unlockmyiphone.html where you’ll need to enter your details and the IMEI of your iPhone and O2 will unlock your phone within 14 days.

Unlike other handsets, the iPhone unlocking process is extremely simple and is carried out by O2 and Apple. O2 will update the activation servers at Apple and tell them to unlock your phone the next time that you sync with iTunes. Once you’ve received a confirmation text message from O2, you just need to put the sim card in the iPhone from your new network and sync the phone with iTunes. Once the sync is complete you’ll see a screen confirming that your iPhone is now unlocked and ready to be used on any network.

Confirmation in iTunes that your iPhone has been unlocked

If you want to use your existing O2 sim as well as a sim for cheaper international calls or use abroad, you might want to take a look at our Twin Sim Charging Case. It allows you to use two sim cards in your iPhone without the need to keep swapping them over and has a built in extended battery that more than doubles the life of your iPhone.

Configure Internet, MMS and Voicemail:

Once your phone has been unlocked, you’ll need to change a few of the settings in order for your iPhone to be able to access the internet, send picture messages and divert to voice mail. I’ve listed the settings below for each of the main UK networks.

To change these settings, you’ll need to access the ‘Cellular Data Network’ settings. To do this, Press Settings -> General -> Network -> Cellular Data Network and change the settings in each section to what’s listed below.

You'll need to adjust the network settings in order to access the internet

If your network isn’t listed below, you’ll need to contact your network’s technical support team for them.
T-Mobile UK (& Virgin)

Cellular Data

• APN: general.t-mobile.uk
• Username: user
• Password: pass

Visual Voicemail – Not currently supported on T-Mobile UK

• APN: general.t-mobile.uk
• Username: user
• Password: pass

MMS

• APN: general.t-mobile.uk
• Username: user
• Password: pass
• MMSC: http://mmsc.t-mobile.co.uk:8002
• MMS Proxy: 149.254.201.135:8080
• MMS Max Message Size: (blank)
• MMS UA Prof URL: (blank)

O2 UK

Cellular Data

• APN: idata.o2.co.uk
• Username: vertigo
• Password: password

Visual Voicemail

• APN: idata.o2.co.uk
• Username: vertigo
• Password: password

MMS

• APN: idata.o2.co.uk
• Username: vertigo
• Password: password
• MMSC: http://mmsc.mms.o2.co.uk:8002
• MMS Proxy: 193.113.200.195:8080
• MMS Max Message Size: 307200
• MMS UA Prof URL: (blank)

Vodafone UK

Cellular Data

• APN: internet
• Username: (blank)
• Password: (blank)

Visual Voicemail – Not currently supported on Vodafone UK

• APN: internet
• Username: (blank)
• Password: (blank)

MMS

• APN: wap.vodafone.co.uk
• Username: wap
• Password: wap
• MMSC: http://mms.vodafone.co.uk/servlets/mms/
• MMS Proxy: 212.183.137.012 (note the leading zero in the last octet)
• MMS Max Message Size: (blank)
• MMS UA Prof URL: (blank)

Orange UK

Cellular Data

• APN: orangeinternet
• Username: (blank)
• Password: (blank)

Visual Voicemail – Not currently supported on Orange UK (even though the phone is sold on Orange)

• APN: N/A
• Username: N/A
• Password: N/A

MMS (username and password are case sensitive)

• APN: orangemms
• Username: Orange
• Password: Multimedia
• MMSC: http://mms.orange.co.uk
• MMS Proxy: 192.168.224.10:8080
• MMS Max Message Size: 307200
• MMS UA Prof URL: (blank)

Three UK

Cellular Data

• APN: three.co.uk
• Username: (blank)
• Password (blank)

Visual Voicemail – Not currently supported on Three UK

• APN: N/A
• Username: N/A
• Password: N/A

MMS

• APN: three.co.uk
• Username: (blank)
• Password: (blank)
• MMSC: http://mms.um.three.co.uk:10021/mmsc
• MMS Proxy: 217.171.129.2:8799
• MMS Max Message Size: 307200
• MMS UA Prof URL: (blank)

Setting up Voicemail

As Visual Voicemail isn’t supported on any network other than O2, you’ll need to set up your voicemail box on the iPhone. Setting up your voicemail is fairly straight forward.

1. Obtain your voicemail number from your network
2. Open up the phone screen and go into the dial pad
3. Dial in *5005*86*xxx# (Replacing xxx with your voicemail number, e.g. 121 for Vodafone)
4. Press call

All done. Your iPhone should now work regardless of the network or sim that you’re using, but remember, you’ll need to have your handset unlocked by O2 in order to use it on another network.

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To help you make the right choice in deciding on accessories for your new smart phone, we’ve compiled our list of top 10 accessories for the Nokia N97 Mini.

1. Nokia CP-390 N97 Mini Carry Case

A Mobile Fun favourite – the Nokia CP-390 carry pouch is a custom made horizontal pouch made exclusively for the Nokia N97 Mini. It’s a hard-wearing Leather case, discretely embossed with a Nokia N-series logo. It holds your phone securely and allows you to use it in either portrait or landscape mode without having to remove it from the case, in fact you can even use the slide out qwerty keyboard without taking it out of the case. There is a secure belt clip on the back, and a strong magnetic catch to keep the case closed. The inside of the case has a microfibre lining that helps to keep your N97 Mini clean and fingerprint free.

Nokia N97 Mini Carry Case - CP390

2. Nokia CR-117 N97 Mini Car Holder

The Nokia Mobile Holder CR-117 keeps your Nokia N97 Mini firmly in place as you drive.Your display remains unobstructed so you can stay connected with the outside world and use Nokia Maps to guide you to your destination. It can be rotated for use in either landscape or portrait mode. It attaches to your windscreen using a compact suction mount that is secured by twisting the base of the holder.

Nokia N97 Mini Car Holder - CR-117

3. Martin Fields Screen Protector for N97 Mini

The last thing you’re going to want to do the the screen of your new phone is scratch it. Martin Fields screen protectors are the best quality screen protectors you can get for your N97 Mini. They’re precision cut to size and can be removed easily and leave no residue behind. They’re re-usable too, so if it ever gets dirty, just take it off, run it under the tap and re-fit it. Best of all, these don’t interfere with the touchscreen of your N97 Mini.

Martin Fields Screen Protector - Nokia N97 Mini - Twin pack

4. Sandisk 16GB Micro SDHC Memory Card

One of the main differences between the N97 and the N97 Mini is the internal memory. The original N97 has a massive 32GB internal memory, where as the N97 Mini has 8GB. Using a SanDisk 16GB Memory Card with the N97 Mini will allow you to store 24GB of  music, games, photos and videos on your phone. Images taken using the 5MP Camera will take up more space, so more memory is a must. A 16GB memory card will let you store over 6000 high quality photos, 3000 songs or 80 hours of video. A 16GB card is the largest memory card that is currently available.

SanDisk MicroSDHC Card - 16GB

5. Nokia N97 Mini Toughguard shell

ToughGuard Shields are a similar kind of case to a Crystal Case, but they are much more robust. Rather than being made from clear plastic, they are made from a more flexible, energy absorbing polycarbonate. This means that the case is unlikely to break or shatter if you do drop your phone, but will still divert impact damage away from your N97 Mini. ToughGuard Shields don’t cover the screen, so we’d recommend using an N97 Mini screen protector with it. These cases are a secure fit to your phone and are more suited to people who want to put a case on their phone and forget about it.

ToughGuard Shell For Nokia N97 Mini

6. Nokia BH-804 Bluetooth Headset

The Nokia BH-804 is Nokia’s Premium Bluetooth headset and will look great with your N97 Mini. It’s made from lightweight aluminium and comes with a coordinating charging stand. Controls are simple, one button to answer/end calls and activate voice dialling and another to adjust the volume. The headset is considerably smaller than most other Nokia Bluetooth Headsets and it weighs just 7 grams. Charging time is around an hour and this will give you about 4 hours talk time or 120 hours standby.

Nokia BH-804 Bluetooth Headset

7. Jabra Halo Bluetooth Headphones

The Jabra Halo Stereo Bluetooth Headset is the latest stereo headset to be released, and to be honest its probably the best one yet. It has incredibly simple controls – a touch sensitive slider on the right ear lets you adjust the volume by sliding your finger up or down, where as a double tap will skip the track. One multi use button lets you play/pause your music as well as answer/end calls and activate voice dialling. When they’re not in use, the headphones fold away so as not to take up too much space and to reduce the chance of them getting damaged. If you want to know more take a look at my Jabra Halo hands on review.

Jabra Halo Bluetooth Headphones

8. Nokia DC-6 Car Charger

The Nokia N97 Mini great for taking photos, checking your email, watching videos and using Nokia Maps as your Sat Nav system – but as with every other smartphone, any application that relies on an internet connection will drain your battery. The N97 Mini uses the now standard Micro USB charger, so any older Nokia chargers won’t work with them. This DC-6 Car Charger will charge any Micro USB device including phones and Bluetooth Headsets.

Nokia DC-6 Car Charger

9. Venturi Mini FM Transmitter & Car Kit

For those that don’t want a fully fitted car kit, or if you share a car,  this product has got to be top of your wish list! Combining the latest FM transmitter and Bluetooth Technology, the Venturi Kit allows you to make phone calls and listen to your music from your N97 Mini through your car stereo by simply plugging into the cigarette lighter socket of your car. Caller ID and song information is also sent to your radio display so you can see who’s calling and what you’re listening to!

Venturi Mini Bluetooth Car Kit

10. Nokia DC-11 Portable Charger

The DC-11 has a Micro USB and 2mm Nokia charger connections and can charge 2 phones at the same time. It’s the same sort of size as the N97 Mini, but can provide up to two full charges of your N97 Mini’s Battery.

Nokia DC-11 Extra Power

If you’ve not seen the accessory here that’s right for you, why not take a look at our full range of Nokia N97 Mini Accessories.

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Parrot Unika integrates your Parrot MKi Car Kit with your Steering Wheel Controls

As standard the MKi car kits include a wireless remote control that will let you answer and end calls, activate voice dialling, control music playback and adjust the volume of calls and music which is great, but finding somewhere to mount the remote in car can be a little bit tricky.

Parrot Remote can be mounted on steering wheel

The MKi Car kits come with a couple of mounting options for the remote control – an adjustable strap that lets you attach it to your steering wheel or an adhesive plate that you can stick to the dash of your car. Both of these mounting options are good, but you can’t beat the stereo controls built into the steering wheel of your car. I’ve had the MKi9000 in my car for about a year now and I still try to adjust the volume with the stereo controls instead of the Parrot Remote.

Since the launch of the MKi series last year, the technical team at Parrot have been working hard to fully integrate the kits into cars and have just released the Unika – an additional control box that allows you to connect the Mki & RKi Car Kits to the stereo controls on your steering wheel, completely eliminating the need to use the remote control.

The Unika can be fitted to most vehicles, and if you’ve already got an MKi car kit fitted you can retro-fit one to your car without too much hassle. If you’re technically minded you should be able to fit it yourself, although you will probably need to remove some parts of your dashboard, so we’d recommend getting a professional to fit it for you.

Unika is compatible with Vauxhall, BMW, Ford & Honda Steering Wheel controls

Once installed, the Unika will use the the buttons on your steering wheel to control the kit instead of the remote control. The buttons that you use for each function will vary depending on your vehicle, and you don’t need to have any phone buttons on the steering wheel as the Unika will ‘re-map’ the functions of the steering wheel controls when connected to your phone or iPod. When you’re phones’ not connected you’ll be able to use the controls to operate your radio or CD player as normal.

You can check to see if your car is compatible and find out which buttons perform which function in your car on the Parrot Unika Support Site.

The Parrot Unika is available now for just £89.99*.

Price correct at the time of writing this post and is subject to change. Please see the product page for the latest pricing information.

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Nokia have said that the charger recall only applied to a limited number of chargers of certain models and these models have different plugs and pins than those used in the UK.

As Mobile Fun sell both UK and European Nokia mains chargers, some of our customers may be affected by this recall and we would ask all customer who have purchased a European Nokia Mains Charger with the product code AC-3E in the last 7 months check their charger to see if it is affected by the recall.

To check if your charger is affected by the recall, please visit http://chargerexchange.nokia.com.  Nokia will provide a free replacement charger for those affected.

The company said that during a routine quality control process, it identified a problem with particular chargers made by BYD. The chargers, which may have been sold with a handset or as a separate accessory, have plastic covers which could come loose and fall off, exposing the charger’s internal components and potentially posing an electrical shock hazard to the user.

Nokia have said that they are not aware of any incidents or injuries related to these chargers.

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To help you make the right choice in deciding on accessories for your new smart phone, we’ve compiled our list of top 10 accessories for the BlackBerry Storm2.

1. BlackBerry Storm2 Chrome Charging Pod

With this, you have a great way of showing off your new phone at home or in the office while charging the battery. It can be connected to a mains charger, or to your computer using a USB cable and charges the battery using two small charging pads on the back of your phone so there is no need to mess around with cables. Simply sit your Storm2 in the pod to start charging.

BlackBerry Storm2 Chrome Desktop Charging Pod

2. BlackBerry Storm2 Skins

BlackBerry Skins are an extremely popular way of protecting your BlackBerry Storm2. They are a rubber case that wraps tightly around your phone protecting the back cover and edges against damage. They leave all the audio and charging ports accessible aswell as the side keys. BlackBerry Skins are available in a range of colours.

BlackBerry Storm2 Skin - Dark Red

View All BlackBerry Storm2 Cases

3. BlackBerry Storm2 Anti-Glare Screen Protector

The last thing you’re going to want to do to the screen of your brand new Storm2 is scratch it. This screen protector has been specifically made for the BlackBerry Storm2, is easy to install and can be removed easily leaving no residue behind. Unlike standard screen protectors, the MFX Anti-glare is resistant to fingerprints and smudges.

MFX Anti-Glare Screen Protector - BlackBerry Storm2

View All BlackBerry Storm2 Screen Protectors

4. BlackBerry Storm2 Battery

The BlackBerry Storm2 will be a workhorse for some people – a business tool that you can’t be without. If you’re going to be out of the office for the day and know that you’re going to be on your phone a lot, then then best accessory you can get will be a spare battery.

BlackBerry Storm2 D-X1 Battery

View All BlackBerry Storm2 Batteries

5. BlackBerry Storm2 Car Charger

Battery life is never great on a smartphone so a car charger is a worthwhile investment. The genuine BlackBerry MicroUSB Car charger will work in both 12v and 24v vehicles (Cars, Lorries and Trucks). The BlackBerry Storm2 uses a different charger to some of the older BlackBerry devices so double check to make sure you order the right one.

View All BlackBerry Storm2 Chargers

BlackBerry Storm2 Car Charger

6. SanDisk 8GB Micro SDHC memory card

The high resolution display and the 3MP camera make this phone perfect for recording videos, taking photos and playing music, but it’s limited internal memory means that it won’t be long before you run out of storage space. This SanDisk 8GB Micro SDHC memory card will hold over 7000 photos, 1500 songs or 9 hours of video recording.

View All BlackBerry Storm2 Memory Cards

Sandisk 8GB Micro SDHC Memory Card

7. Etymotic HF2 High Fidelity Headphones

The Etymotic hf2 headphones are the world’s first in-ear, high fidelity, noise-isolating headset. They allow you to enjoy clearer communication and better quality music playback from your BlackBerry Storm2. The Etymotic HF-2 has a built in microphone that can be used for phone calls, as well as a multi function button that can be used to control music playback on your Storm2.

Etymotic HF2 High Fidelity Headphones - Black

View All BlackBerry Storm2 Headphones

8. BlackBerry HS500 Bluetooth Headset

BlackBerry have just released the new BlackBerry HS500 Bluetooth Headset. It’s a lightweight headset that can be used for calls, music and turn by turn directions. It’s styled to match the current range of BlackBerry smartphones and will compliment your Storm2 perfectly. The HS500 can be charged using the same Micro USB Mains/Car Charger as the Storm2. It supports last number redial, voice dialing volume change and mute.

View All BlackBerry Storm2 Bluetooth Headsets

BlackBerry HS500 Bluetooth Headset

9. BlackBerry VM605 Bluetooth Car Kit

The BlackBerry VisorMount Speaker phone is extremely easy to use. Just clip it to your car’s visor, turn it on, and you’re ready to start making and taking hands-free calls on the go. It supports voice activated dialing, caller ID, and verbal notifications to let you know who’s calling, you can stay in touch while keeping your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. It has a built in FM transmitter that can be used to broadcast audio from your calls, music and sat nav through your car stereo without having to connect any wires. It uses the same Micro USB charger as your phone too, so you won’t need to buy a separate car charger for your Storm2.

View All BlackBerry Storm2 Bluetooth Car Kits

BlackBerry VM605 Bluetooth Car Kit

10. Parrot MKi9100 Fitted Car Kit for BlackBerry Storm2

Parrot have always made fantastic car kits and the Mki range are no exception. There are three options available, the MKi9000, Mki9100 and the Mki9200. The main differences between them being the display screen that comes with them. I’ve chosen the MKi9100 as the best one for the Storm2 because the external screen makes it easier to navigate the menu’s and to see who’s calling you without having to look at your phone. You can play music from your phone through the MKi9100 using Bluetooth or 3.5mm line in. The Mki9100 will synchronise with your phone book, and supports voice dialing. There is also a small remote that you can attach to your dash or steering wheel to control your music and calls. If you’ve got stereo controls built into the steering wheel of your car, you can use the Parrot Unika to enable these controls to operate the MKi9100 car kit. Regular software updates that improve compatibility with BlackBerry phones are available free of charge from the Parrot website.

Mki9100 for BlackBerry Storm2

This isn’t the full range of accessories, just a selection of the ones that we think do the best job of enhancing your phone. If you’ve not seen the accessory here that’s right for you, then take a look at all of our BlackBerry Storm2 Accessories.

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1. Noreve Traditional Case – BlackBerry Storm2

The Noreve Case for the BlackBerry Storm2 is an elegant case that gives Piel Frama and PDair a run for their money. The case is the same shape as the phone and moulds around it beautifully. The whole case is hand crafted from top quality leather and leaves your camera, charging ports and volume keys accessible. The case has a detachable ratchet clip on the back that can be removed easily to leave the back of the case perfectly flat.

Noreve Case For BlackBerry Storm2

2. BlackBerry Storm2 Leather Pocket

The Storm2 Leather Pocket is a stylish case from BlackBerry. It’s made from high quality leather, has a built in proximity sensor and built in protection for the screen of your Storm2. Removing your phone is easy as it has a thumb groove for improved usability.

BlackBerry Storm2 Leather Pocket

3. BlackBerry Storm2 Skins

BlackBerry Skins are an extremely popular way of protecting your BlackBerry Storm2. They are a rubber case that wraps tightly around your phone protecting the back cover and edges against damage. They leave all the audio and charging ports accessible aswell as the side keys. BlackBerry Skins are available in a range of colours.

BlackBerry Storm2 Skins

4. BlackBerry Storm2 Carry Pouch

The BlackBerry Storm Carry Pouch is a padded carrying case that can be firmly fastened to your belt horizontally. It has a magnetic closure to keep your Storm2 in place and stitched in belt loops to keep it securely attached without adding extra bulk.

Carry Pouch for BlackBerry Storm

5. Storm2 Leather Carry Pouch by BlackBerry

This case fully protects your Storm2 and has built in protection for the screen as well as a proximity sensor to put your device to sleep and save power. It has cut outs on the bottom to make it easy to remove your phone and a magnetic catch to keep it closed. On the back of the case is a rotating belt clip that will let you attach it to your belt at an angle to suit you.

Leather Carry Pouch for BlackBerry Storm2

If you’ve not seen the case here that’s right for you, take a look at our full range of BlackBerry Storm2 cases.

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There are a number of different options available to protect your screen, from a simple MFX screen protector, to privacy screen protectors right through to the top quality Martin Fields Screen Protectors. On paper they all seem to do the same job, but there are subtle differences between them so I’ve put this post together to highlight the key differences between them and make choosing the best screen protector for your phone simple and straight forward.

For this test, I’ve used the same image displayed on an iPhone with the screen brightness set to maximum I’ve then applied a screen protector to half of the screen and taken a photo. The photos have not been edited in anyway other than cropping and no filters have been applied – what you see below is as close to the real thing as possible. You might notice a few air bubbles in the photos, these will normally disappear after a day or two so don’t pay too much attention to these.  The first image here shows how the picture is displayed on the phone with no screen protector fitted.

Test Image with no Screen Protector

Martin Fields Screen Protector:

Martin Fields Screen Protectors are without doubt the best quality screen protector you can get. They’re crystal clear and will make your phone look like new. They don’t reduce the clarity of your screen and colours look exactly the way they’re supposed to. If your screen protector gets dirty, they can be removed easily from the phone, cleaned and refitted.

Martin Fields are exceptionally clear

MFX Screen Protector:

The MFX screen protectors are available for most phones currently on the market and are quick and easy to fit. As you can see from the image below, there is little to no distortion of the images and colours appear as they should. MFX Screen Protectors will work with both touch screen handsets and standard phones and are precision cut to size. If you’ve got a lot of devices that you want to protect, a 12 in 1 Universal Screen Protector Pack is also available. This includes 12 screen protectors of varying sizes that can be cut to fit devices such as cameras, sat nav units, phones & games consoles.

MFX Screen Protector

MFX Mirrored Screen Protector:

Mirrored Screen protectors have two purposes, first and foremost they protect your screen from getting scratched and secondly they can turn your phone into a mirror. Just like the MFX ones, these are precision cut to the size of your phone and are extremely easy to fit. When your phone is in use and the screen is lit up you can see the phone normally. When it’s not in use the reflective coating on the screen protector turns your screen into a mirror.

Makes the screen of your phone reflective

The only slight downside is that they do alter the colours on your phone’s screen slightly.  You can still see clearly enough for calling, texting and emailing, but they can make looking at photos and videos more difficult and as a result, these type of screen protectors are probably suited to non touchscreen handsets or those of you that use your phone more for texting and calling. They do attract finger prints quite easily too, so a Mobile Phone cleaning cloth is a must have item if you use a mirrored screen protector.

MFX Mirrored Screen Protector

MFX Privacy Screen Protector:

The last ones in the MFX family are the Privacy screen protectors. These are a great way of making sure that no one else is looking at what’s on your phone or reading your emails over your shoulder. They’re quite a bit thicker than a standard screen protector and provide extra protection against knocks and scrapes, but more importantly are made so that you can only see through them from certain angles.

Try to view the phone from the side and you won't see anything

Once fitted to your phone you’ll only be able to see the screen of your phone when you’re looking straight at it. If you try and see the screen from the side you’ll just see a black plastic sheet. Although they have a dark tint to them, you shouldn’t have any problems looking at photos or playing videos on your phone. If you find that it darkens the screen too much, just increase the brightness settings on your phone. The Privacy Screen Protectors are precision cut to size and available for most of the latest handsets, as they’re a bit thicker removing air bubbles.

MFX Privacy Screen Protector

The Privacy Screen protectors will work fine with Resistive touch screen handsets, but aren’t currently available for capacative touch screens such as the iPhone, HTC Hero or LG Arena.

InvisibleShield Screen Protector:

The last of the screen protectors then is the InvisibleSHIELD. Technically, this isn’t a screen protector as InvisibleSHIELDs normally cover your whole phone, not just the screen. They’re also made completely differently to the rest – rather than being a solid plastic sheet that sits on your screen, these are made from a soft flexible plastic film that sticks to your handset using a liquid spray adhesive. You spray the invisibleshield with the liquid and then place it on your phone. It dries in seconds and when you remove it from your phone it leaves no residue behind. Of all of the screen protectors here, these are probably the most secure fit to your phone and there is no chance of you catching a corner and it coming off. The downside though is that they do require a little more time and patience to fit, but the end result is well worth it.

InvisibleSHIELD Screen Protection

On my test, the screen image didn’t come out too great, but I’ve had one on my phone for over 12 months and honestly can say that the screen is clear and images aren’t distorted, although they do tend to attract smudges and require wiping clean now and again.

Summary:

If you’re looking purely to protect your screen, then you won’t go wrong with either a Martin Fields Screen Protector or an InvisibleSHIELD. There’s not much between them, although the faster fitting time will probably make the Martin Fields a better option.  Of all of them, I’ve scored the Mirrored one the lowest, but that’s mainly down to how much it changes colours on the screen. In terms of fitting and protection it scores the same as the other MFX Screen Protectors.

My Ratings:

Martin Fields – 10/10
MFX Screen Protector – 9/10
InvisibleShield - 9/10
MFX Privacy – 8/10
MFX Mirrored - 7/10

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