Background Information & Look n’ Feel

Samsung have just announced the launch of the Samsung W960 AMOLED 3D (SCH-W960) which heralds the beginning of a new generation of 3D mobile phones. Thankfully you don’t need special glasses to view the 3D display. The phone is a basic candy bar design with no outstanding features to comment about. The phone weighs 119g and measures 113.9 x 53.9 x 13.9 mm.

Hardware – Display, Keyboard, Battery, Communications, Memory, Connectors

The Samsung W960 has a 3.3” AMOLED capacitive touch display with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels. The screen uses gesture based interactions, an accelerometer for auto-rotate and the Touch Wiz 2.0 user interface. Whilst these specifications are not bad you can find similar technology in other phones on the market.
What is special about the Samsung W960 is the 3D effect of the display. As previously mentioned, you will not need to wear glasses to view the 3D effect. Another plus is that you can switch between 3D and 2D at the press of a button.

The phone has a 3.2 MP built-in camera with a resolution of 2048×1536 pixels. It has autofocus and video but no built-in flash.

Connectivity wise this mobile phone supports both 3G (HSDPA 2100) and 2G networks (with the quad band GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900). The Samsung W960 also has GPRS, Edge, USB v2.0, and Bluetooth 2.1. Unfortunately there is no Wi-Fi with this phone.

The phone’s other useful features include: a document viewer, for looking at Microsoft Office documents; voice memo; an organiser; and DMBTV. The phone can play both MP3 and MP4 media files.

Availability & Pricing

The w960 will initially be launching in South Korea probably in June or July. A European release date has yet to be confirmed. No information on price is available but based on the specification of this phone it is likely to be aimed at the lower to middle range of the market.

Samsung W960 3D Video Review

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Background Information & Look n’ Feel

The LG KM570 Cookie Music Phone or LG Cookie Gig (depending on which country you are in) is the newest phone in LG’s latest Cookie budget range. The phone looks nice with its chrome edging, however, the phone’s casing is all plastic. You can get this device in silver black, prism violet and blue.

Hardware – Display, Keyboard, Battery, Communications, Memory, Connectors

Being a music phone the LG KM570 comes with all the necessary features one would expect. It has a 3.5 mm audio socket at the top of the mobile phone, high quality speakers, Dolby sound enhancement, and a stereo FM radio with RDS. The phone also has games and a can play both MP3 and MP4 files.

The mobile phone’s display is a bit low spec in that its resolution is WQVGA and not WVGA, but this is to be expected given that this is a budget phone. The display itself is a 3” TFT resistive touch screen with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels. To help improve the usability of the phone it also has handwriting recognition and an accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate.

The LG Cookie Music (LG Cookie Gig) comes with a relatively nice 5 megapixel camera with autofocus. Unfortunately the phone does not come with a flash but it does have video recording.

Connectivity wise this mobile phone supports both 3G (the dual band HSDPA 900/ 2100) and 2G networks (with the quad band GSM 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900). The LG Cookie KM570 also includes GPRS and Edge. To transfer files you can either use a USB v2.0 cable or wireless Bluetooth.

To store your music and photos this phone comes with quite a lot of memory. It has 4GB of internal memory that can be expanded to 16GB using a microSD card. Other useful features include a document viewer for looking at Microsoft Office documents, voice memo, and an organiser.

Availability & Pricing

This phone will be available in Q2 of 2010. As yet there is no information on price.

LG Cookie Gig KM570 Video Review

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Background Information – Look n’ Feel

The Nokia N8, which is part of the N series, is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. It has fantastic components on it, and outstanding technology. It comes in 5 different colours, dark grey, blue, silver, lime green and vibrant orange, so there is definitely something to suit everyone.  The shape of this phone differs from the conventional ‘slab’ these types of Nokia phones generally appear in, making it a little more interesting.

Hardware – Display, Keyboard, Battery, Communications, Memory, Connectors

This touch screen measures in at 3.5 inches, and has an accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate and weighs in at 135g.

This Nokia is the first of its kind to have an astonishing 12 Mega Pixel camera to appear on a mobile phone. This camera also has impressive Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus, Xenon flash, geo-tagging, face and smile detection and video. As if that wasn’t enough, it also has a secondary camera allowing for the function of video calling.

The Nokia N8 also has the standard features of an alarm clock, organiser, calendar, games and FM radio. The memory isn’t bad at 16GB, which can be expanded up to 32GB with a microSD card.

With a Li-Po battery, this phone has a stand by life of 720 hours, and a talk time life of 5 hours and 20 minutes.

Software

Another Nokia first is the new Symbian operating system which is the most sophisticated software to date. The new Operating System has kinetic scrolling with multi touch support, pinch-to-zoom, 3D and 2D graphics acceleration and multiple home screens. All these features have been highly customised to suit Nokia.

These features are leaps and bounds ahead of what Nokia have produced previously. However, whether the performance will match the impressive specifications will only be seen over time.

This model also caters for all the social networkers, with different applications to use. It also has internet expertise, with WAP, WLAN, GPRS, Bluetooth and EGDE technology.  It also possesses the option for push email, instant messaging, Nokia Maps, and a digital compass.

Availability and pricing

The launch date has been delayed to July 2010. The price has not yet been specified, although it’s rumoured that Nokia are proposing this new N8 at a mere €370 before tax. This makes it a complete bargain compared to the HTC Desire phone, with its new and improved features.

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The LG GX500 is a stylish touch screen handset that will be launched as LG’s third dual SIM phone in May 2010. It seems LG are going head to head with Alcatel, as they too are releasing a new dual SIM phone around the same time as LG.

The features of the new Alcatel mobile phone are not common knowledge yet, although in appearance it is a more old school phone with an alphanumeric keypad in a block style. Whereas, the new LG GX500 feels much more modern, with a swanky touch screen and a slim feel.

The new dual SIM type phones are quite hard to come by, although, this type of phone is growing in numbers, and it seems that other well known brands of mobile phones will be following suit with a dual SIM functionality.

Hardware – Display, Keyboard, Battery, Communications, Memory, Connectors

This smart phone has not one, but two SIM card inserts and supports simultaneous operation.  With a TFT 3-inch colour touch screen and a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels, it is yet another touch screen with a number of social networking functions. This phone weighs in at 118g.

The LG GX500 has a primary built in camera of 3.2MP, with a pixel resolution of 2048×1536 and autofocus. There is also a secondary camera for video call functionality. The primary camera also has video capabilities and a video player.

This model uses a Li-Po battery and has a battery life of up to 6 hours talk time and 400 hours standby.

Software

This LG doesn’t seem to have 3G technology, which is a bit of shame when using the internet. Although it does have GSM networks, a microSD card slot, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a microUSB port. It also has WQVGA display, a music player, FM radio, WAP, GPRS and EDGE technology.  Gamers can also be satisfied as a number of games can be downloaded via Java.

Availability and pricing

It is not yet available on the market, and is not anticipated to be released until May 2010. Pricing has not been specified.

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Background Information & Look n’ Feel

The Nokia E5 smart phone heavily resembles Blackberry’s style of phone and the Nokia E72. The Nokia E5 comes in 5 delectable colours –business black, wild white, baby blue, bronzy brown and shiny silver.

It can be used for business or pleasure, which reflects the funky colours for private use, and the more subtle colours for business. This is also reflected in the software aspect of the phone as well.

Hardware – Display, Keyboard, Battery, Communications, Memory, Connectors

With the E5, Nokia have intended to provide better social networking tools and messaging for people all over the globe, at prices within the ordinary person’s means. It has access to a range of email accounts (including Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, Windows Live Hotmail, Ovi Mail, Microsoft Exchange and IBM Lotus Notes Traveler Business), Instant Messaging unities and a number of social networking sites. This is all made very easy to use by the full QWERTY keyboard, weighing in at an acceptable 126g.

The screen is 2.4-inches, which seems very small in comparison to other Nokia models. Nonetheless, it is still adequate for internet use and taking pictures. The phone also has a 5 mega-pixel camera with fixed focus, auto flash, 4X optical zoom, and video recording.

This model also comes with 3G, WLAN, Bluetooth, WAP, GPRS and EDGE technology, which makes this phone great for using the web. Although, the internal memory doesn’t seem to be up to scratch with a 250 MB internal memory. This can be redeemed through the use of a memory card, expanding storage of up to 32GB with a microSD card…that’s better!

With a standard Li-lon battery, this smart phone has an outstanding battery life with 18 hours and 30 minutes talk time, with a standby life of 29 days! So if you don’t like charging your phone very often, this is the one for you.

Availability & Pricing

The Nokia E5 is estimated to cost €180 before taxes, which will be approximately £160 and is expected to be available in the Q3 of 2010. This is a very moderate price by Nokia to make a phone like this more accessible to a much wider audience.

All in all, this affordable smart phone seems to be quite impressive for its price tag.

Nokia E5 Video Review

General

This week Nokia announced the release of three new mobile phones of which the Nokia C3 is the entry level phone. By copying the BlackBerry style the phone gives the impression that its more expensive than it’s worth. In black, the phone looks quite business like, but for those wanting to a more chic look there’s “hot pink” and “golden white”. The phone is a manageable size at 115.5 x 58.1 x 13.6 mm and weighing 114 grams.

Hardware – Display, Keyboard, Battery, Communications, Memory, Connectors

The phone comes with a 2.4 inch graphical monitor with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels.  It is also Nokia’s first full QWERTY keyboard giving it the appearance of a smartphone. The C3 also comes with a pretty basic 2 MP built-in camera with video but this is perfectly adequate given the price tag.

The Nokia C3 does not have 3G but it has quad-band GSM and supports Bluetooth 2.1, GPRS, WAP and Edge. The phone also has WLAN (wireless local area network) which means you can use your phone like a laptop by accessing the internet wirelessly at home or via hotspots.

Software

The C3 uses Series 40 which is both a software platform and application UI (user interface) used for Nokia’s mid range mobile phones. The software helps run Ovi Mail, Ovi Chat and social networking apps such as Facebook and Twitter. Incidentally, this is Nokia’s first phone that can access the social networks from the homescreen.

Availability and pricing

The Nokia C3 will be available in the second quarter of 2010 and will cost about €90.

Video Review

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Background Information – Look n’ Feel

The Nokia C6 slider phone appears to be a direct replacement for the Nokia N97. Although their appearance is similar, the C6 has a plastic shell unlike N97, which has a more metal feel. It will be available in black and white in the UK. Due to the QWERTY keyboard and the sliding mechanism, this phone weighs in at a hefty 150g but the phone is still a good size, measuring in at 113.0 x 53.0 x 16.8 mm.

Hardware – Display, Keyboard, Battery, Communications, Memory, Connectors

The display is a 3.20 inch, 360 x 640 pixel, touch screen that can be customized for the user to access their favourite features quickly. As well as an accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate the screen also has a proximity sensor for auto turn-off.

Like many smartphones today the Nokia C6 targets the young market using social network application. The phone includes built in support for Facebook and Ovi with instant messaging apps and webmail access.
The Nokia C6 also possesses a built in 5 megapixel camera (2592 x 1944 pixels) which has autofocus, LED flash, geo-tagging, face and smile detection, video, and a secondary videocall camera (a front facing camera used for video conferencing).

Charging is done through a small USB connection on the side of the phone, which has proved to be troublesome in other models. We hope Nokia have looked at these faults and attempted to rectify them for the C6.

This smart phone also has Bluetooth connectivity, WAP, WLAN, EDGE technology, Wi-Fi and GPRS. This enables a quick and effective use of the internet, made even easier with the keyboard. This is perfect for surfing the web.

One of the upgrade features of the Nokia C6 is the way the keyboard slides out flat whereas the N97’s used to slide out at an angle. The benefits of this change in design are probably subjective depending on the user.
Most upgrades usually involve something being added or made more effective. One change that had us perplexed is the N97’s 32GB of memory compared to the C6’s 16GB. This might suggest that the C6 is in fact not an upgrade of the N97 but an improvement on the Nokia 5230.

Availability and pricing

Nokia have not yet announced a release date. Although, there has been speculation of the expected release date to be in late Q2 or Q3 of 2010.

The Nokia C6 has been priced at approximately 220 Euros, which is about £195, although, this hasn’t yet been confirmed.

Nokia C6 Video Review

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This phone was released in about May 2009 but we thought we would give it a quick review as we are currently offering it with some really good free gifts. It’s a nice cool little phone with loads of features.

Background Information – Look n’ Feel

The Samsung Tocco Lite S5230, also known as the S5230 Star, is a nice low end music mobile phone that comes in classy black, a vibrant pink and a charming white. It’s very similar to the LG cookie KP500 in size, weight and looks which suggests Samsung brought out the phone as a direct competitor to the KP5OO.

The touch screen is clear and bright, which creates a much nicer viewing experience when using it. The Tacco Lite has the ability to download music from Samsung’s online music store, which can then be synced with Windows Media player on your PC using a USB connection (no extra software needed). All this music and can then be saved on a 16GB microSD memory card.

It also has gesture control, which locks the phone when you’re not using it to make sure applications are not being used by accident, which can be very handy.

Hardware – Display, Keyboard, Battery, Communications, Memory, Connectors

The phone has a standard Li-lon battery, which provides up to 800 hours standby time, and up to 10 hours talk time. The Tocco Lite has a lighter battery than its LG relatives, the Tocco or Omnia, but it has fewer features to power, so it doesn’t seem to have a negative effect on the performance of the phone.

“Smile Shot” is a feature on the 3.2 MP camera, which can detect when the subject of the picture is smiling, and will then take the picture. There is also a digital zoom, basic video recording and the option to edit your images on the phone itself.

The Samsung Tocco Lite also has Bluetooth connectivity, a WAP browser, an FM radio and supports EDGE technology. Although, without WLAN or 3G technology, the tools for internet access and downloading applications aren’t very quick. This can be a little annoying.

Availability & Pricing

It costs approximately £120 and is available in the UK.

Overall, even though the Samsung Tocco Lite lacks some of the more high-end features of other phones, like 3G, WiFi and GPS, it still seems to be a bit of a bargain considering its competitive price tag.

View our latest Samsung Tocco Lite offers

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Background Information – Look n’ Feel

The LG Clubby KM555e is yet another mid-range touch screen, block phone with a 3 inch screen. It has a metal silver frame, with three buttons at the bottom. It comes in three different colours; black, silver and a funky violet, so there’s something for everyone.

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Interestingly, this phone has been particularly recognised by its out of the ordinary name ‘Clubby’, and has been dubbed one of the latest music phones, although it does have other features. It has the standard phone functions of messaging and phone organiser, it can also manage PDF, DOC, PPT documents.

Hardware – Display, Keyboard, Battery, Communications, Memory, Connectors

As one would expect from a music mobile phone the LG KM555e has a music player, an FM radio, and an expandable external memory – up to  16GB using the external microSD memory card.  What makes this phone stand out is its Dolby Mobile technology, which enhances the sound quality considerably.

As a LG customer you will have access to the LG Music Club download service. This phone has similar features to the Samsung Star (GT-S5233A) so it should be able claim its fair share of the music market.

The LG Clubby also comes with a 3.2 megapixel camera, including video features, and an accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate. The phone also supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, WAP and Edge.

Availability and pricing

This mobile phone costs approx. £320 in Russia where it has just been launch, but as yet it is uncertain as to whether or not the phone will be available in the UK.

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Background Information & Look n’ Feel

The Samsung i9000 Galaxy S is a high spec mobile phone that deserves more praise than criticism. The phone is ultra slim, minimal and comfortable in hand. It measures 122.4 x 64.2 x 9.9 mm yet because of its slim design it only weighs 113g.

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Samsung i9000 Galaxy S Review

Hardware – Display, Keyboard, Battery, Communications, Memory, Connectors

The highlight of the Samsung i9000 is the amazing 4-inch WVGA 800 X 480 Super Amoled display. Super AMOLED gives crystal clear images which are brighter and less reflective than before which means you can use the device in direct sunlight.

Samsung I9000 Galaxy S

This device is symbolic  of how mobile phone devices may come to replace electronic devices in  the home.  For example, the Samsung i9000 has a 5 megapixel camera with auto focus which is just as good as most snap and shoot cameras on the market. You could also get rid of your video camera as this mobile phone’s camera can record HD 720p video up to 30 frames per second.

Samsung i9000 Galaxy S mobile phone review

The phone also has “augmented reality” which combines the real camera view with digital information. This allows you to view something on your camera whilst viewing an overlay using Google Maps. The phone combines this information with its GPS thereby allowing you to use your Samsung i9000 as a sat nav. So you can also now throw away your TomTom!

Software

The Samsung i9000 uses Android 2.1 and is powered by a 1 GHz processor that maximises the video and camera experience. The processor also provides you with a very fast user interface and powerful applications.

One of the really useful applications is the daily briefing widget that gives you up to the minute news and weather reports. The phone also has swipe fast typing and write and go so you can enter information even faster than before.

Another fun application is the e-book device which allows you to store and read books on your device. You can switch the background between day and night modes and bookmark your favourite pages or search for a particular word in a book.

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Availability & Pricing

As yet there is no information about availability. The device should cost around £400.

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