Moby1 blog

Features in Focus: Windows Phone 7

Liam — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:30:14 +0000

Microsoft’s launch of the Windows Phone 7 is scheduled this coming October and while many might be wondering as to whether the smart phone industry really needs a new mobile platform to be introduced at this point in time (now that we already have the Google Android, Apple iOS, RIM BlackBerry OS, HP-Palm WebOS and the Symbian) one simply has to take a quick look at the Windows Phone 7 and wonder, is the mobile industry ready for this new system?

While the final commercial version is only about a month away from release, we already have the benefit of being able to check out the developer version of the system to have a quick first hand try at how everything fits together in Microsoft’s new platform.

Right off the bat, we can see that the company is taking a big gamble with taking the full liberties of creation in the new user interface. Microsoft’s new OS is unlike anything we have seen before. While some have compared it the original iPhone operating system from several years back, the differences are quite outstanding.

Microsoft also employs the use of new dynamic factors in the user interface, everything in the design is both stylish and functional, yet it is also experimentation to a degree. Expect to see old school handset users to get thrown off balance with the new system, while those who are more accustomed to modern design to easily slide into place.

It will be a while before the whole tiles and bleeding text effect catches on. Even the large blank black gap on the right side of the screen has been reported to be “unsettling” by some users (especially when they point out that it is basically a giant space for the disproportionately small arrow icon on the bottom). But for now, we can only wait and see who everything turns out when the system comes out next month.

Physical Keyboard on the Next Galaxy Handset

Liam — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:24:23 +0000

Having a physical keyboard is a big thing for any smart phone. Sure, RIM’s BlackBerry series practically makes the feature a standard and that some critics are now announcing that Swype technology on a touch screen virtual keyboard is actually faster to type with.

But for most folks, nothing beats the touch and feel of a physical set of keys, and in general, more people are used to using a keyboard than Swype technology (as the finger sliding thing is really not as intuitive as it is efficient).

This is why the latest Android handset from Korean phone maker Samsung is certainly going to attract plenty of attention: because it packs a slide out, physical, QWERTY keyboard.

The newest addition to the Galaxy lineup of smart phones is the Samsung I5510. The designation is already confirmed and it has popped out in the Vodafone booth at the recent held IFA. Looking at the device itself, one cannot help but be excited at what possible technologies Samsung might have hidden under the hood.

Currently, it is known that the device would definitely be sporting a capacitive touch screen display, a camera, and the device also supports 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and microSD cards. The rest of the details are still unconfirmed at this point.

Popping out of the Vodafone booth, it seems that the UK based network operator might be making some special offers for the Galaxy I5510 when it comes out. Some speculate that there might be some time based exclusivity deal going on, while others state that Vodafone might be offering the device is a special color scheme.

Samsung’s lineup of Android smart phones is continuously growing. Just recently, the Galaxy Tab touch screen tablet has been added to the list bringing in the largest Android device to the Samsung folio (though the Toshiba “Folio” might just take that title away quite easily).

HTC WP7 Device Name Leaks, iOS 4.1 Launches and Huawei’s Android

Simon — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:19:40 +0000

China based electronics manufacturer Huawei is launching a low end Android smart phone that is poised to dominate that market range on sheer budget price alone: the Huawei IDEOS.

This brand new Android smart phone is reportedly going to be compatible with the 2.2 Froyo version of the open source mobile platform and will be arriving with a price tag around the range of 40 to 70 Quid. That’s probably the cheapest Android handset we have seen so far and the most updated too. The device will be available in wide range of color choices and is expected to be available this coming October.

Next on the new list, Apple is keeping the iPhone community happy with several new updates, and this time, it is by way of the 4.1 iOS update. Carefully added into this system update is the inclusion of new camera features that would allow users to take HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos with a single click.

Also included in the 4.1 update is an improvement for the Apple iTunes store and the addition of the Ping social network tool. The 4.1 allows users to connect to the Apple Game Center which is some sort of social hub for players.

Our final news update comes in the form of a quick leak of an O2 document that reveals what might be a new Windows Phone 7 device from Taiwan based mobile phone maker, HTC. According to reports, the device is named as the HTC HD7 –which is a major hint at what this device is.

HTC’s Windows lineup is the HD series and the last phone in the set (aside from the HD Mini) is the HD2. It skips several numbers and heads straight to HD7 to state that it is a Windows Phone 7 device. It has yet to be confirmed if this device is the same as the HTC Mondrian and Mozart.

Sharp: 3D for Mobile Phones

Simon — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:09:51 +0000

Sharp has shown off what has to be one of the first 3D devices for mobile phone users: a new 3D capable smart phone. Right now, initial specifications on the device are still sparse, but from what we have seen, the device features a full touch screen display, has a camera on the back and of course, is able to run 3D content.

The screen is obviously using parallax technology in order to deliver a 3D effect without the need for those pesky glasses; certainly convenient and something that would need to be implemented if they truly want to deliver 3D to the mobile phone industry.

Despite the novelty feature, viewing content that ‘pops out of the screen’ is hardly an experience that people want to have on their mobile phones. While the technology is slowly starting to catch up among those with home theaters and HDTVs it is not being associated with mobile technology.

The reason for this is that people use smart phones for other purposes than for viewing high definition content in 3D. Sure, there are plenty who stream and convert their videos for mobile phone playback, but this is done with compromise: losing the high quality video for the ability to take it on the go. And even if the video has been encoded properly for the mobile phone, nobody expects to get the full 3D movie experience when riding the tube.

It will be quite some time before we see another 3D smart phone on the market –or if we ever actually do see one at all ever again. In the meanwhile, anyone who still wants to enjoy seeing things pop out and launched from the back ground to the foreground might want to stick with the newly launched HDTVs that support the 3D feature.

Samsung Galaxy Tab: the Hitchhiker’s Guide

Simon — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:01:13 +0000

Tablets are a pretty odd thing to have. And considering that Apple’s iPad is the first in the scene, it certainly set up a stage that other gadget developers are staying away from: fully separating the phone from the device. While adding in voice call support for the iPad may be detrimental to the sales of the iPhone 4, the same limitations are not an issue for Korean manufacturer Samsung and the Galaxy Tab.

The Samsung P1000 Galaxy Tab is primarily a touch screen tablet. With the large form factor and the fact that the device is just too big, this is definitely one gadget that has been made to compete heavily in the tablet industry. What sets it apart from the Apple iPad is the unique size, support for a wide range of features and formats and most importantly, the fact that it is also capable of handling voice calls.

With a 7 inch touch screen display, this device is basically the largest Android smart phone so far, and navigating the Android UI on such a large screen is good, though Samsung could have put in some decent anti-glare coating to allow the device to be used properly when in direct sunlight.

As one would expect, the web browsing experience is truly unique as the system easily handles a wide range of web formats easily. As expected with Android Froyo, the new OS will be able to play back flash content online as well as HTML5 pages too. The Android’s WebKit browser looks quite good on the larger screen though the menu has not changed at all in terms of content.

It has also been confirmed that Samsung is working on another tablet that will be using the upcoming Android Honeycomb OS. So far, the announcement is still unconfirmed.

Samsung Galaxy Goes Large with the Tab

Simon — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:55:01 +0000

Categorizing the Galaxy Tab is pretty confusing. Certainly, it has a massive touch screen display. At 7 inches, we are certainly questioning whether it still manages to fit the requirements of a mobile phone. Labeling it as a touch screen device however, completely rules out the fact that it can handle voice calls.

While that question will certainly leave us scratching our heads for a while, here is something that we can all agree upon: the Galaxy Tab is one impressive device.

There is no doubt that the Android operating system looks great on a larger touch screen display. It has already been previewed in a tablet device a couple of months back and seeing both HTML5 and Flash content support on a single system is certain to bring a smile on the faces of many media loving tech users.

The device itself has been confirmed to be an ARM Cortex A8 1GHz CPU. This means that running almost any apps on the tablet will not cause problems or significant slowdowns –unless the user decides to run several resource hogging apps at the same time.

Fans of the Android OS will be happy to know that this tablet will be running Android 2.2 Froyo right off the bat –which means that there will be no waiting time for an update (unless the user is waiting for the upcoming Android 3.0 Gingerbread).

The tab is packed with plenty of features and additional functionality. Aside from the Android OS, Samsung has also added in several new features such as an e-book reader and a slightly tweaked user interface that suits the 7 inch display.

In other Samsung related news, it seems that the Korean manufacturer is not finished with the tablet technology. According to reports, the company is looking into developing a new tablet for the upcoming Android Honeycomb.

October Launch is Set for Windows Phone 7

Simon — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:49:40 +0000

Microsoft’s upcoming mobile platform is set to launch this coming October and according to reports, the consumer ready version of the operating system has already been sent out to manufacturers. With just a few short weeks away from October, the countdown for Windows Phone 7 is certainly running fast.

October promises to be quite an exciting time for the mobile phone industry as it will not only see the launch of a new Microsoft made mobile platform, but also because it will see the launch of several new high end smart phones. By high end, we specifically refer to devices sporting Snapdragon CPUs (or faster), WVGA capacitive touch screen displays, plenty of RAM and all the other features specified in Microsoft’s minimum hardware requirements for the new OS.

While there are certainly some devices that appear to have surpassed these initial specifications, the fact that all WP7 will meet the requirements means that predominantly, this OS is truly meant for the high end markets. Specifically, this means that WP7 will be the direct competitor of the Apple iOS.

Sure, Google’s Android operating system is used in an extremely wide range of mobile phones ranging from low spec to very high end. However, the Android is an open source platform that is also used in so many ranges (and devices) that it easily outclasses the Apple iOS. Windows Phone 7 on other hand will be competing directly with Apple’s platform and mobile phone.

For those who have not yet heard of the Windows Phone 7, this new operating system is the answer that Microsoft has been working on for those who felt that WM was too serious and business like. WP7 features Bing search, Silverlight support, a new MSN player, Xbox Live Games service, Zune media and plenty of other useful functions.

Motorola Offers Two New Androids

Liam — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:36:57 +0000

Android smart phones are coming out in droves this year. With the launch of the Google Nexus One in January until the very end of the year, the 2010 calendar is marked full of product launch dates that would make plenty of other folks cringe with all the sudden updates.

Of course, keeping track of so much news is quite confusing. So to make the whole thing so much easier, here is a quick heads up on two new devices from mobile phone maker Motorola.

Motorola made its’ mark on the Android community with the end-year launch of the Motorola Milestone (DROID) last 2009. The device featured a massive touch screen display, a slide out QWERTY keyboard and the Android 2.1 Éclair operating system.

Now, it has been confirmed that the Motorola Milestone 2 is coming and that it brings all of the great things from the first handset and will offer the new Android 2.2 Froyo operating system. According to initial reports, the new handset will once again be centralized on the Motoblur user interface and social networking tool. It has also been reported that the smart phone will come packed with a 5 mega pixel camera with HD video recording and dual LED support.

Another upcoming Motorola Android smart phone is the Motorola Defy, which is a pretty interesting handset because it has been specifically designed to “defy life” (hence the name). The device features a slight degree of water proofing and dust resistance. But do not submerge the handset in an aquarium and still expect it to work afterwards.

According to Motorola, the Defy will be able to withstand the daily rigors of life and that the device is designed to last through events such as accidental liquid spills and other similar situations.

Sony Ericsson Brings Android Éclair this September

Liam — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:30:29 +0000

It is always a great thing when mobile phone makers live up to their promises. More often than not, most of us in the mobile tech industry wait for long time for these to be fulfilled and seeing these confirmed is always a great thing.

Anyway, Sony Ericsson announced that the Android 2.1 update for its mobile phones will be available this month of September and that owners of the XPERIA X10, X10 Mini, X10 Mini Pro and the X8 need only wait for a few more days before the Android OS gets boosted from the original 1.6 Donut version.

For those not familiar with the Sony Ericsson devices (or have opted to wait out until Android updates are available), here is a quick rundown of all four mobile phones.

First on the list is none other than the original XPERIA X10. This is a high end Android smart phone and is basically the device that has set the tone for most of the high end devices we see today. Announced late last year, the X10 was confirmed to be the first Android smart phone to use a 1GHz Snapdragon core processor. It was also one of the first to sport a massive 4 inch TFT touch screen display as well.

Anyone looking for a more budget friendly alternative, the X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro devices are always recommended. As one would guess from the name, these two devices are much smaller than the original X10. Both also have watered down specs while the Mini Pro has the slight advantage of having a slide out QWERTY keyboard for those who love to type.

Lastly, the XPERIA X8 (also named as the X8 Shakira), is basically the handset that is between the X10 and the X10 Mini in terms of overall specs. While being more of a mid range device than a high end phone, the X8 still provides the user with plenty of functionality.

Android Update Delays Plague Smart Phone Users

Liam — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:31:38 +0000

As much as we are quite impressed with the actually Android operating system, Google’s OS suffers from one major issue that really needs to be fixed: compatibility with mobile phones.

The great and bad thing about the Android is that it runs on so many devices. This means that the open source mobile platform is truly versatile and can handle the needs of a wide variety of users.

At the same time, it also means that a large variety of the Android also exists. While the differences are only known to developers and the rest of the people working on the backend side of things, consumers still see the effect and heaviness of the effort needed to bring the Android to different phones in the form of delays.

Android 2.2 Froyo has already been out since June and until now, only a few devices have been updated. While the Google Nexus One gets the update on the same day launch, devices from other manufacturers did not fare so well.

According to reports, O2 has recently confirmed an Android 2.1 update for the Dell Streak (not quite 2.2, but any update is good enough) while Orange Mobile UK has announced that their HTC Desire will not be updated until later in September (a slight delay from the previously stated early September launch).

In both cases, it is understandable that many Android smart phone owners are certainly going to be unhappy. As great as the Android platform may be, if it is not updated in time, it will be left behind by its competitors.

This is why the Windows Phone 7 has a great advantage over the Android. Despite not targeting the low end users, WP7 has a good grasp of the high end market. They did this by having a great spec sheet on the minimal hardware requirements of the platform.