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Monthly Archives: August 2010
iPhone app round-up: WordPop!, Loopy Labs, LilRacerz & NFL 2011
WordPop! has been updated and now includes a Brag feature which allows you to boast about your best words to friends and enemies. A nice addition to a superb game!
Loopy Laboratory is free for today only and is well worth checking out. It is one of the older iPhone games, but will keep your mind ticking for hours and hours.
Also just made free is LilRacerz Micro Rally which is a highly rated top-down racer that will keep you happy until Reckless Racing ‘finally’ arrives.
Gameloft continues to annoy customers who purchase its newest games straight away by reducing the price of NFL 2011 to just £0.59 / $0.99. It is a good game by all accounts, but true fans of the game seem to prefer Madden NFL 11.
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The 7″ iPad (iPad mini)
Rumours are starting to spread of a 7″ iPad coming before Christmas (iPad Mini). It could be true because there are some good details to go along with the rumours, here for example, but I just don’t get it.
I used an iPad for a few weeks and was very impressed, but as soon as the iPhone 4 came along I realised that the iPad was a luxury I didn’t really need. With the new iPod Touch on the way (FaceTime and 2 cameras?) and the iPad already selling in huge numbers I can’t work out where a 7″ iPad would fit in. The iPad currently has a 9.7″ screen, the iPhone 4 sports a 3.5″ screen and now we are to see a 7″ iPad to do what exactly?
Part of me sees why this is a good idea because it offers extra portability alongside superior web surfing and gaming, like the Dell Streak, but is it one product too many and one that could cannibalise sales from the Touch and iPad 1? I don’t know, but whatever happens it will sell by the million.
Motorola FLIPOUT hands on
Jon from the Clove Blog has posted his experiences of the Motorola FLIPOUT and he seems to be quite impressed by this highly unusual smartphone.
I thought I would just share a few quick thoughts with you regarding the FLIPOUT. Reviews are still rather scarce and can sometimes be a bit ‘fluffy’ so below are a few initial thoughts and impressions as I handled the device.
* Good size
* Ok, the purple/fuchsia colour is not for me
* Ideal phone for the female, small, light, stylish
* Slide/flip mechanism works well although haven’t quite got the finger positioning right
* Solid build
* Keyboard doesn’t feel cheap
* I like the cursor pad
* The metallic back to the screen isn’t as shiny as I thought it would be, good thing I think – slight etching in it, almost looks like it has been scratched….not too sure about this.
* I just want to keep flicking it open – got the hang of it now
* Sussed the perfect position in the pocket to pull it out, flick it and open it and answer a call
Read on for more.
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BlackBerry Torch sales not shining
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets and Stifel Nicolaus have both put BlackBerry Torch sales in the opening weekend around the 150,000 mark. This is obviously a good number, but RIM sales millions of phones and this is its flagship model. I am pretty sure it expected to do much better.
From WSJ- “The plodding start isn’t great news for RIM, which is losing market share in the important North American market to snazzier rivals like the iPhone. The Torch, RIM’s first phone with a touchscreen and slide-out keyboard, comes with revamped software and a faster Web browser, which address some of the complaints against previous BlackBerry models.
But so far it’s had a limited rollout: The Torch is only available—at least for now—through AT&T for $199.99, with a two-year service contract. RIM hasn’t yet said when it will go on sale internationally or through other carriers…”
Microsoft shows off 62 Windows Phone games
Microsoft has listed 62 games that will be coming to Windows Phone and also detailed how Xbox Live will work on the platform. You can see the full list here, and I have to say that it is looking good so far.
Windows® Phone 7 lets you make the most of every moment by connecting and playing with friends wherever you are, using your Xbox LIVE® avatar and gamer profile to keep track of scores and wins.
Xbox LIVE, the award-winning online gaming and entertainment service for Xbox 360, is coming exclusively to a Windows Phone 7 near you this holiday. Whether you’re waiting for the bus, enjoying time out of town or just relaxing on the couch, the phone designed to keep your life in motion puts Xbox LIVE and mobile gaming in your pocket.
Nokia debuts ‘Touch and Type’ design with the Nokia X3
Nokia has debuted the X3 and is pushing ‘Touch and Type’ as the main feature. The phone looks good in the following video, but I can’t help but notice similarities to Apple’s iPhone videos i.e. a bit cheesy. To quote- “The touch screen is a like a smooth body of water, evolves into the ripples of the keypad.” You what?
Espoo, Finland – In a move to continue driving innovation in its market leading mobile phone range, Nokia today unveils the super slim Nokia X3 Touch and Type, with a unique combination of a touch screen and traditional 12 button phone keypad. As Nokia’s first ‘Touch and Type’ phone, the Nokia X3 allows people to tap quickly on the bright color touch screen, as well as enjoy the familiarity of the full keypad for quick fire text messages and phone calls. Expected to be on sale in the third quarter, the Nokia X3 is expected to retail for approximately EUR 125, excluding taxes and subsidies.
“Innovation is not just a high-end game. The Nokia X3 is a great example of bringing new consumer value to lower price points,” said Mary McDowell, Executive Vice President of Mobile Phones at Nokia.
“With the Nokia X3 we are giving consumers the best of both worlds by combining a touch screen and a keypad in an affordable device. We have given people a larger screen with clear icons and menus plus kept critical keys such as the send and end keys. We’ve also added dedicated function keys for important links like music and text messaging,” she said.
“We have designed the Nokia X3 to be a touch and type device because typing is ideal for SMS and social networking where fast and frequent input is needed, while touch is ideal for functions such as setting alarms, smooth browsing and controlling applications like music and games.
“Our research tells us consumers who have invested years in becoming fast one-handed, one-thumb texters want to maintain their speedy edge for SMS, chat and instant messaging – yet enjoy the benefits of touch as well,” continued McDowell.
With its sleek and modern design coming in at a very thin 9.6mm – making it one of the slimmest Nokia phones ever – the Nokia X3 slips easily into the purse or the pocket, and looks the part with its brushed aluminum back cover which will come in five vibrant colors designed to suit any mood or wardrobe.
Despite its size, the Nokia X3 is jam-packed with features including 3G, WLAN, a music player and an FM radio.
Lovers of the snapshot and social networks will enjoy a great 5 megapixel camera with 4X digital zoom that can take both still and video images.
The Nokia X3 also features dedicated music and messaging keys allowing fast access to important Ovi services including social and entertainment applications. In addition to Ovi Mail, people’s favorite consumer email and chat accounts can be pushed direct to the phone via Nokia Messaging.
With a gentle glide over the touch screen people can go online and get access to many services including thousands of apps from Ovi Store. In certain markets, the new phone will also be available with Ovi Music Unlimited, enabling the owner to access a virtually limitless range of the latest hit music that can be stored on the available 16GB memory card.
The Nokia X3 – affordable and accessible touch and type which is simple-to-use and beautifully designed. The Nokia X3 Touch and Type sits alongside the Nokia X3-00, a slider with strong music functionality, which was launched in September 2009.
Apple iPhone repairs ‘a rip-off’
The Telegraph has run an article which asks if iPhone repairs from Apple are too expensive. It uses the comparison that some companies offer repairs from as little as £39 whereas Apple will charge £139. I see the point, but would suggest that this is another example of journalism that does not consider the big picture. If mine broke it is going back to Apple.
“The firm charges £139 for even the simplest work on a handset, such as replacing a cracked screen, but dozens of companies offer similar repairs for as little as £39.
Martin Lewis, the founder of the Money Saving Expert website, claimed the charges were “a rip-off” but said users were partly to blame for being “seduced by the power of the Apple brand”.
The consumer organisation Which? said users of the smartphone were “paying a premium” for Apple’s in-house service. Britain was estimated to have more than two million iPhone users at the end of last year.
The most common iPhone problems are cracked screens and water damage. Such accidental damage is not covered by Apple’s one-year warranty.
Customers pay £139 in store or £146.29 for Apple’s mail-order service. Those rejected for repair by the company must spend from £450 on a new handset. The Sunday Telegraph found a host of firms willing to carry out repairs for much less. While simple jobs can be done for as little as £39, more complex work that such as software reinstallations, can be done from£49.”
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Australian government wants to classify apps
The Australian government is looking to start charging classification fees for apps and games amid concerns that Apple, Google and others are avoiding millions of dollars in classification fees. These fees range from $470 to $2040 and if brought into force it is likely that these fees would have to be passed onto the developers.
In reality it would not make sense to start charging at these levels because it would kill off the industry and likely see a rebuttal from the big manufacturers which would only do harm to the economy. One to keep an eye on though. Thanks to Joel.
From Theaustralian- “THE Labor Party has flagged it will shut down a major loophole in the mobile phone industry.
The loophole has allowed games and applications to go online without any kind of classification.
Amid debate on internet and video game censorship, it has emerged that thousands of smartphone games and applications are being sold or distributed without going through a classification check, in contravention of the National Classification Scheme.
The largest distributor of smartphone applications, Apple, is bypassing millions of dollars in fees, as classification fees range from $470 to $2040 for computer games, costing the government revenue.
More than 220,000 applications are available in Australia for download.
At a conservative estimate, one-third of them are games, suggesting compliance costs would be in the millions.”
QOTD: Partner phones?
What mobile phone does your partner (wife, husband etc.) use? My wife loves her Nokia 7230 and says she will never go back to a smartphone.
PDair iPhone 4 Luxury Silicone Case and Soft Gel Plastic Case reviews
The iPhone 4 is a device that warrants the use of a case more than any other smartphone. Despite the excellent build quality, the front and back feel fragile and cry out for protection. It is a beautiful looking phone and the last thing you want to do to your £500+ investment is scratch it and ruin the looks that add to the overall experience. The other problem is that protecting it with a case can disguise the looks completely so what to do?
PDair has two solutions which caught my eye and so I decided to give each one a try to see which I preferred. First up is the Soft Gel Plastic Case which I got in the clear variety (grey, red, orange, green and yellow also available). At only $9 it is one of the cheaper iPhone 4 cases on the market, but the material is far from cheap. It feels like a silicone case, but it much harder and thus offers more protection than most. I am not sure how it is made, but it manages to offer a flexible form which clings to the iPhone like no other case. It is made to measure to the nearest millimetre and actually takes a bit of persuasion to get in place. Once attached, however, it is on for as long as you want it to be. The material offers a grippy feel which also feels as though it is attached to the iPhone on every corner.
If you want a case that shows off the fact you own an iPhone 4 and which will offer superior protection this is the one to get. At only $9 it also represents excellent value for money and, in my opinion, is better than the hard plastic crystal cases which can tend to scratch too easily.
Next up is the Luxury Silicone Case which comes in at $18. There are many, many silicone cases on the market at this time and the vast majority have a smooth finish which does not set them apart from the competition. The Luxury model has a completely different patterned finish which is subtle, yet enough to show that it is not merely another silicone case. All of the buttons are easily accessible and the Apple logo is allowed to shine through at the back courtesy of a circular opening. It does cover up the back of the phone, but like the soft gel case it offers a grip that should ensure you don’t drop your phone.
Most silicone cases also attract dust quite easily, but so far I have not seen one spec on my case and this is an advantage in itself. The less dust you get on a case, the less you will get on your phone. At $18 I would consider it value for money due to the quality materials used, but some extras are included. First up is a stand which attaches to the back of the case and lets you stand up your iPhone when it is not in use. Obviously it is difficult to charge the phone in this position, but if you want to leave it on your desk or read an eBook without holding the phone it is a nice extra to have. There is also a lanyard attachment which looks slightly strange at first. I wouldn’t carry a lanyard on a phone personally, but there is a screen cleaner built into it which works brilliantly. This attachment is now carried with me to work each day and helps to reduce dust and dirt which can lead to scratches on the screen, no matter how well built Apple says it is.
I actually prefer this case of the two which surprised me because I tend to like clear cases more. Both are very good value, but for me the Luxury Silicone solution offers good protection with some extra style which is what an iPhone 4 case should do.
My iPhone 4 cost me £570 which is equivalent to $888. The Soft Gel Case is equivalent to paying an extra 1% to add protection and the Luxury Silicone Case equates to an extra 2% on the overall cost. The iPhone 4 requires a case more than most mobile phones and so you may as well get one that is value for money and which adds some style to the experience. Either of these will do that.
Links-
Disclaimer: PDair advertises on PDA-247, but be assured that we only rate products as we find them. Being overly positive would just damage our reputation and lessen trust in what we write in the future.
Try our iPhone app, and maybe our Android or BlackBerry app
iPhone apps developed by companies and websites are now commonplace and I often find myself expecting to see related iPhone app in promotional material just as I would a web address. Some examples that I use often are the Cineworld app which I use to book cinema tickets, National Rail Enquiries for planning train journeys, the Next app which my wife often uses and the Argos app which can be useful to compare prices to other companies.
The fact is that there are many, many apps made by many, many brands now and reading ‘Try our iPhone app!’ in adverts seems more likely that not these days. iPhone is a mainstream word and it seems as though these companies will jump on the iPhone first and, if they are savvy, then look at Android, BlackBerry and the rest. The problem is that these companies do not work in the field of mobile telecoms and are less likely to produce apps for multiple mobile operating systems; they will do some research, but when it comes to investment they are more likely to equate iPhone with apps and go no further.
Apple has a big lead in this area, particularly in terms of the public’s awareness, and the others have some catching up to do. If anything, the success of iPhone apps will (and is) benefit the other platforms as people become more aware of what phones are on the market. They need to because Android is selling in huge numbers and BlackBerry always has, albeit to corporates, and the smart money will be invested in as many mobile users as possible.
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Touch Displays in Smart Phones Spur Demand for Larger Screen Sizes
If the subject of touch screens and their shipment volumes float your boat read on. We won’t judge you…
From DisplaySearch- “After only 4% growth in 2009, the mobile phone display market is set to grow by 14% in 2010, with shipments forecast to reach 1.68B units, according to the latest DisplaySearch Quarterly Mobile Phone Shipment and Forecast Report. In Q1’10, mobile phone display shipments fell 9% Q/Q due to seasonality, but increased 34% Y/Y, reaching 370.5M units (Figure 1).
“With an average worldwide market penetration of mobile phones at 70%, manufacturers are eager to introduce new features, applications and user interface improvements, such as touch screens, to ensure continued growth for this segment this year,” noted Calvin Hsieh, research director at DisplaySearch. “The migration of various display panel technologies and increasing average display sizes reflects these trends.”
The fall in shipments, combined with a 4% Q/Q decline in average selling price, produced a 13% Q/Q revenue decline. Active matrix OLED (AMOLED) displays were the only technology for which revenues increased Q/Q, as both unit shipments and average prices increased Q/Q. This reflects the success AMOLED is finding in high-end smart phones. These phones are demanding larger display sizes, and in Q1, the average screen size for AMOLED passed 3”, larger than TFT LCDs.
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iShoot 2 released for iPhone and iPad
The original iShoot was a huge success for the one-man developer and now iShoot 2 has finally been released. The first reviews on the App Store are somewhat mixed so far and it seems as though some extra tweaks are needed to bring it up to the level of the original.
“The sequel to the bestselling tank combat game is finally here! iShoot 2 improves on every aspect of the original, with greatly improved graphics and sound, a completely redesigned weapon system, vast scrolling and zooming landscapes, upgradable tanks, Bluetooth play, a campaign mode, and much more!
iShoot 2 is a universal iPhone / iPad app with Retina Display support.”
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Amazon UK now accepting self-published eBooks
Amazon UK is now accepting self-published works for its Kindle eBook service. Apparently we all have a book inside of us, so you may as well try to make some money out of the process.
LUXEMBOURG – 16th August 2010 – Amazon.co.uk today announced that publishers and authors worldwide are now able to upload and make their books available in the Amazon.co.uk Kindle Store using the self-service Kindle Digital Text Platform. The Kindle Digital Text Platform (http://dtp.amazon.co.uk) is a fast and easy tool which allows publishers and authors to add their books and start selling in the new UK Kindle Store in minutes. Books that are uploaded to the UK Kindle Store are available to UK customers via Kindle devices and Kindle apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, PC, Mac and Android-based devices.
“Publishers and authors can now take advantage of the Kindle Digital Text Platform and make their books available to the millions of customers that visit Amazon.co.uk,” said Greg Greeley, Amazon Vice President, European Retail. “Sales of Kindle books in the US continue to rise and we are now selling more Kindle books than hardcovers. We expect to see a similar pattern in the UK with publishers and authors benefitting from greatly increased sales as a result of adding their titles to the new Kindle Store via the Kindle Digital Text Platform.”
Amazon recently made improvements to the Digital Text Platform such as a more intuitive ‘Bookshelf’ feature and a simplified process for publishing. Additionally, publishers and authors can upload and make available their books in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. They are also able to set the digital list price for their titles on Amazon.co.uk in pound sterling.
Publishers that hold publishing rights for the UK and related territories will earn a 35% royalty for sales made on Amazon.co.uk. For sales made in the US via Amazon.com, publishers can take advantage of a 70% royalty option. In the future, Amazon intends to make the 70% royalty option available for UK sales as well.
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Nokia N8 up for pre-order at Nokia USA
The Nokia N8 is now available to pre-order at Nokia USA for $549. Expected delivery is end of September (2010:)) and is likely the best touch screen Nokia yet. Not a difficult task though…
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