Magic W3 Is A 4.8-Inch Phone Running A Desktop Version Of Windows 7

Wondering whether to get a tablet, a phone or a new computer?  Psssh.  Why choose when you can have all three in the Magic W3, a Windows 7 tablet with integrated telephone features measuring under five inches.

The first pocketable computer running Windows 7 (the Home Premium Edition, if you're curious), the device literally throws everything in one small package measuring a mere 141 x 81.5 x 22 mm and weighing 260 grams.   Why bother with apps that can sync with your desktop software, after all, when you can literally carry a full-blown computer in the front pocket?

Core hardware consists of a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z530 processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 32GB SSD and a 3,200 mAh battery (no word on how long the runtime is -- we're guessing it won't be impressive).  It has all the usual smartphone/tablet fittings, such as a 4.8-inch touchscreen (800 x 480 native resolution), a front-facing 1.3 megapixel webcam, built-in accelerometer, aGPS, Bluetooth, 3G with HSPA, WiFi and an HDMI out.

Of course, you can make calls like any regular phone (even hands-free over the dual speakers).   Since it's also a real computer, you can connect a mouse and keyboard over either USB or Bluetooth for more familiar navigation.  Because everyone knows Windows will be a pain for finger-tapping  (more so on a 4.8-inch screen), it comes with a custom UI for a variety of functions (e.g. phone dialer, composing messages).

No word on availability or pricing for the Magic W3.   It doesn't look like a pipe dream from those product photos available at the website, though, so it's definitely very intriguing.

[AdvanceTC via GSMArena]

Vodafone UK Service Partly Down Due to Break In

For some Vodafone customers over here in the UK you may have found your smartphone is without service this morning the reason for this temporary blackout of 2G, 3G, SMS and BlackBerry services on the Vodafone UK network is down to a break in.

According to an article over on Engadget by Vlad Savov, Vodafone have posted to their website and explanation which goes like this…

“Hello

We had a break in last night at one of our technical facilities which resulted in damage done to some of our equipment. This means that some customers may be experiencing temporary loss of voice, sms and internet services. We are working quickly to restore these and will be back to normal as soon as we can. There has been no impact on the privacy of customers’ data.

Thanks

J
eForum Team”

Apparently someone broke into the Vodafone exchange centre in Basingstoke overnight and did some damage, other than that there are currently no further details, but it’s good to know that Vodafone are on the ball and trying to sought out the issues.

So are you a Vodafone customer and have found you have been affected by this temporary Vodafone service blackout? If so feel free to shout out in our comments area below.

O2 appoints new head of business strategy

Christian Craggs returns to O2 UK in new role responsible for overseeing strategy development in Enterprise and SME businesses

O2 has appointed its former head of professional and managed services Christian Craggs (pictured) in a new role as head of strategy planning and operations.

Craggs starts in the position today (February 28) and will be responsible for developing the strategy for the business directorate.

The role will work across both the enterprise and SME areas to ensure the right strategies are in place and that are aligned.

Craggs, who has worked in business development and strategy roles in both O2 UK and Telefonica Europe will report directly to O2 UK business director Ben Dowd.

Dowd said: “I am delighted that Christian is returning to the team and leading one of the most important areas of the Business directorate.

“I have no doubt he will be a success in his role and will do it in a way that will enable us to reach our ambition and deliver fully to our customers’ needs.”

Craggs said: “This is a huge opportunity for me and one that I am really looking forward to. Coming back to the great team at O2 and being able to help mould and set the vision for the future strategy of the business team was something I jumped at.”

Vodafone's UK network taken down by a break-in

Some of our UK readers have woken up to the less than awesome discovery this morning that their phones have lost all connectivity to the outside world. 3G, 2G, SMS, and BlackBerry services on the Vodafone UK network are all down for what seems like a significant proportion of its user base -- an issue the carrier has since identified as being caused by a break-in at its Basingstoke exchange center. No further details have been provided, though work is naturally underway to repair the damage done and we're assured customers' private data has remained so. We can't imagine quite such a service disruption being caused by a random act of vandalism or burglary, perhaps a disgruntled employee felt the need to vent his or her frustrations in grand style? Or has O2 gone gangster on the competition?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

MobileNotifier Does iOS Notifications Right, Will Make You Want To Jailbreak

iOS’ Notifications system sucks. A lot. In the Great Smartphone War, it’s probably the platform’s most inexplicable Achille’s heel. Oh, you’re playing a game? Sorry, Bobby texted you again! PAUSED! Watching a movie? Sorry, the battery is at 10%! PAUSED!

Peter Hajas’ MobileNotifier, demoed above, shows us that things don’t have to be this way. Dismissible, nonintrusive notifications? An easily accessible notifications tray? Be still, my heart. The catch: as with anything that modifies the deeper system files, you’ll need to jailbreak to get this working.

Our fingers are crossed that Apple will finally be addressing this in iOS 5 — meanwhile, consider us jailbroken.

Live From the Red Carpet App: Oscar Winners 2011

The Oscars 2011 kicked off last night and we watched the Live From the Red Carpet and must say it was very interesting indeed, well now you will be happy to know that there is an app for that for iOS devices.

If you love the Oscars 2011, Golden Globes, Grammy Awards, Academy Awards, SAG Awards and anything to do with red carpets you will love the E! Online Entertainment iOS app called ‘Live From the Red Carpet’.

This is all about fashion and the glitz; this app will even give you all the latest Oscars 2011 winners. Live From the Red Carpet app gives you full VIP access to Hollywood’s hottest events named above and so much more.

Main Features Include: Celebrity news, fashion photos, interview videos, live streams and lots of video coverage, you will also get the awesome GlamCam 360, which is the E! Online futuristic Matrix-like fashion cam.

There are many articles within this application as well, are you still sitting here? Head on over to iTunes and download this years hottest app via iTunes. Please do post all your comments on last nights Oscars event.

TalkTalk and Tiscali UK pay back 2.5 million to customers

Payments follow Ofcom investigation that revealed 62,000 customers had been billed for services they did not use

Broadband provider TalkTalk and its subsidiary Tiscali UK have paid more than 62,000 customers almost 2.5 million in refunds and good will payments following an Ofcom investigation into incorrect billings.

The investigation, which was opened in July 2010 followed complaints from over 1,000 consumers who said they had been charged by the companies for services they had not used.

Ofcom issued both organisations with legally-binding notifications in November last year and set a deadline of December 2 for them to comply with telecoms rules that prohibit consumers being charged for services they have not used.

TalkTalk and Tiscali UK where both told to remedy the breach of the regulations by the same date.

Ofcom said the resulting payment by the companies showed they have abided by what was required of them, following the investigation.

A Ofcom statement said: “TalkTalk and Tiscali UK have taken significant steps to fix the problem and to comply with the regulations by the deadline set, in direct response to Ofcom’s action.

“These steps include identifying and compensating some 62,000 affected consumers. On this basis, Ofcom is not in a position at present to impose a financial penalty on the companies under our current legal powers.”

TalkTalk and Tiscali UK said they appreciated that Ofcom had acknowledged its efforts and said it was focused on remedying any further billing issues.

A TalkTalk spokesperson said: “We’re pleased that Ofcom has recognised the significant steps we’ve taken to fix the billing issues identified.

“We moved all of our customers to our single billing platform at the end of January and our focus on resolving any outstanding billing issues continues.

“We remain committed to providing great value and service to our 4.2 million phone and broadband customers.”

Regulation change

TalkTalk and Tiscali UK could be one of the last companies in the UK to avoid an immediate financial penalty from Ofcom regarding telecoms law breaches such as the one in question.

The UK government is currently consulting on changes to the laws, that would allow the watchdog to issue a fine in such circumstances, regardless of whether a company subsequently took action to address the issue.

Should the government choose to proceed with such changes, Ofcom would be able to implement these from May 25.

Apple iPad 2 May Also Release in White

Well things may be just looking up for the lover of white iOS devices, although Apple has continually failed to deliver on a white iPhone 4, there have been rumours that we may see a white iPhone 5 later in the year, but what about a white Apple iPad 2?

Well according to an article over on Itwire, the guys over at 9to5 Mac have been sent a picture of what is claimed to be a white bezel for the next generation Apple iPad.

Apparently the images they were sent were from iFixyouri also shows the rear side of the white Apple iPad 2 bezel and shows that the camera hole fits perfectly with previously seen Apple iPad 2 screen protectors.

Of course it’s just speculation at present, and one could say there is a possibility that the images are fake, but if true we could see a white version of the Apple iPad 2 beat the iPhone to the pale model stakes at some point in the future.

So what do our readers think, anyone fancy owning a white Apple iPad 2 if it materialises?

AT&T ShopAlerts: first location-based ads from a US carrier kick off in four markets

A few third-party apps have been going after this market for a while now, but AT&T has just become the first American carrier to throw its weight behind location-based ads in teaming up with Placecast to launch the so-called AT&T ShopAlerts service in four markets. Residents of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco will be the first to experience the mind-bending future of advertising -- presumably because they're densely-populated enough to make a location-based trial worthwhile -- with seven inaugural partners: HP, Kmart, JetBlue, SC Johnson, Kibbles 'n Bits ('n Bits 'n Bits), Nature's Recipe, and the "got milk?" people. Fortunately, the system is opt-in, not out. Follow the break for AT&T's full press release.

Show full PR text

AT&T Advanced Ad Solutions Launches ShopAlerts by AT&T, a Groundbreaking Location-Based Marketing Service Featuring Special Offers from Leading National Brands

Innovative opt-in service enables marketers to engage consumers on their mobile phones and drive them to the point of sale with relevant location-specific offers

FEBRUARY 28, 2011 - AT&T Advanced Ad Solutions and Placecast today announced an agreement to provide ShopAlerts by AT&T, which are special offers delivered to consumers via their mobile phones when they are near a participating store or brand. The unique location-based mobile messaging service will be available for AT&T* customers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco who have opted-in to receive such messages. AT&T is the first U.S. mobile carrier to offer a large-scale, location-based mobile marketing program to consumers and advertisers.

The innovative ShopAlerts by AT&T service will provide consumers with valuable offers, rewards, and coupons based on their specific geographic location. AT&T creates a "geo-fence" – a virtual-perimeter around a retail location, event, or any geographic area – in order to deliver appropriate location-specific messages. Participating consumers receive relevant marketing messages when they are inside a geo-fence, benefiting both consumers and marketers.

The messages are enhanced with information such as weather, traffic, and local shopping area details to more effectively engage consumers. Numerous companies have recognized the value of the ShopAlerts by AT&T service, and the initial presenting sponsors will be HP, Kmart, JetBlue, SC Johnson, Kibbles 'n Bits, Nature's Recipe and the National Milk Mustache "got milk?" Campaign.

"We are proud to take mobile marketing into the future with this unique offering that is being embraced by consumers and brands alike," said Greg McCastle, senior vice president of AT&T Advanced Ad Solutions. "ShopAlerts by AT&T enables brands/advertisers to help link consumer engagement with activation and ultimately to the point of sale."

"Kmart has embraced technology to enhance our customer's experience and maintain our value proposition," said Mark Snyder, chief marketing officer of Kmart. "ShopAlerts allows us to deliver this value directly to our customers through innovative technology."

Katie Thompson, associate director of digital media of JetBlue, notes that ShopAlerts is a clear fit for many advertisers, including beyond just those with brick and mortar locations. "We were excited about the opportunity because it takes the onus off of the advertiser to build a large database of opt-in users that the true power of the technology can be harnessed," said Thompson.

Pioneering Location-based Technology and Media
The program combines the location-based technology platform and expertise of San Francisco-based Placecast with AT&T's large subscriber base, outstanding Web and mobile media properties, and strong relationships with national advertisers and media buyers. The initiative marks the first time a major operator in the U.S. is introducing such a program at scale.

"At HP, we are continuously implementing innovative new marketing platforms that will resonate with our customers' mobile lifestyles," said Tariq Hassan, vice president, Worldwide Marketing and Communications, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. "ShopAlerts by AT&T service enables us to deliver relevant, location-based content to our customers."

"Placecast is excited to work with AT&T to deliver a new generation of opt-in marketing services focused on delivering relevant messages to consumers when they are in a mindset to make a purchase. Retailers and subscribers alike benefit from messages with tailored offers available nearby, based on their trusted relationship with AT&T," says Alistair Goodman, CEO of Placecast.

Customers in participating markets can visit the customer portal and opt-in at www.att.com/shopalerts.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

HTC Trophy spotted in the wild, sporting Verizon logo

If you had any remaining doubts whether the HTC Trophy would be playing for Team Red, you can leave them at the door -- a tipster just sent us a high-res version of the above image, and says it's running the latest version of Windows Phone 7, complete with copy/paste support. Our anonymous source says it seems exactly the same physically as the European version we reviewed in October, save for a last telling tweak -- instead of the orangish-yellow innards, it's got red highlights around back.

[Thanks, Anonymouse]

Windows Phone 7 Hitting Verizon End of Next Month

If you are in the market for a Microsoft Windows Phone 7 device and your preferred carrier in the US is Verizon then it would appear that you wont have much longer to wait to be able to snap up a Windows Phone 7 handset on the Big Red.

According to an article over on the Boy Genius Report, the guys over at Winrumors are claiming that the usual unnamed “people familiar with the company’s plans” Verizon may make an official announcement on the 28th of Feb.

That announcement would be along the lines that a Windows Phone 7 smartphone, namely the HTC 7 Trophy will launch on the network sometime towards the end of March commanding a price tag of $200 based on a 2-year agreement.

Furthermore, the word is that the HTC 7 Trophy will sport Microsoft’s “NoDo” update, which of course is Microsoft’s update bringing the copy and paste feature to Windows Phone 7 devices.

That’s about it, so as long as those “people familiar with the company’s plans” are spot on with their info we can expect the WP7 HTC 7 Trophy to hit before April Fools day. Anyone hoping to snap up the HTC 7 Trophy on Verizon?

Verizon's dropped 911 calls leave one woman trapped in burning house (video)

We're just hearing of a story that makes that 10,000 or so emergency calls that didn't go through over Verizon's network on January 26 look a little more serious. A house in Silver Spring, Maryland caught fire that evening during the snowstorm that knocked out power and landlines. A neighbor, noticing the house was ablaze, tried calling 911 on his cellphone but couldn't get through. Thankfully he was able to save the 94 year old woman who was trapped inside, but it would be about 30 minutes of repeated dialing before finally being connected to emergency services. Thank goodness for heroes, but maybe Verizon Guy has some work to do himself.

FCC Investigating 911 Problems on Verizon Cell Phone Network During Jan. 26 Snowstorm: MyFoxDC.com

Android/iPhone Fan Boys: Meet Your New Desktop Wallpaper

This one has something for everyone: Android. Apple. Appropriately colored lightsabers. Oh, and it’s friggin’ high-resolution (download link).

Oh, and to pull a late-night host and totally steal a joke from Reddit: Man, why they gotta make Apple General Grievous?

Happy Saturday, folks.

Verizon iPhone Suffers Antenna Problems Consumer Reports Doesn’t Recommend

Now I’m sure that most remember the debacle of the iPhone 4 antenna problem which became known as the ‘death grip’ and that Consumer Reports wouldn’t and still doesn’t recommend the iPhone 4, well it looks like the Verizon iPhone has gone the same way.

According to an article over on Phone Dog by Alex Wagner, Consumer Reports is claiming that the Verizon iPhone suffers from a similar antenna problem as the AT&T iPhone, which sought of justifies the earlier rumours of antenna issues with the CDMA iPhone.

Thus just like the GSM iPhone with AT&T, Consumer Reports does not recommend the iOS device. Apparently Consumer Reports engineers put the Verizon iPhone through a bunch of regular tests and followed with the special test they used on the AT&T iPhone.

Also to make a comparison with other Big Red smartphones the engineers also tested the HTC Droid Incredible, Motorola Droid X, Motorola Droid 2 Global, LG Ally and the Samsung Fascinate, and apparently the only handset that showed a problem when finger contact caused a decline in performance was the Apple iPhone 4.

There hasn’t been as much of a kick up over the Verizon iPhone antenna showing ‘death grip’ issues unlike the stink attached to Apple and AT&T with the GSM version, but it would appear the CDMA version does suffer the same issue to some extent.

We have the Consumer Reports video review of the Verizon iPhone 4 for your viewing consideration below, so check out what they have to say.

So, what we’d like to know from any of our readers who have purchase the Verizon iPhone is have you experienced any antenna problems with your new device?

HTC Droid Incredible 2 shows up in Verizon's system

Well, look what we've got here! Seeing that HTC just introduced the Incredible S -- a world phone only available in the UK -- it was only a matter of time before the phone hit the stateside. A trusted tipster just hit us with screen shots of Verizon's internals containing a device dubbed HTC ADR6350. The other screenshot below has a listing for the HTC63503 with a description of "INCRD2." Putting two and two together, we'd say with great confidence that the Incredible 2 is coming to Verizon in the near future -- and we certainly wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with that "buttonless" shot we saw a while back. Stay tuned as we try and dig up more details... and in the meantime, peep the second screenshot after the break!

Rational Choice: Xperia Play, LG Optimus 3D & iPhone 4

There are three smartphones that need a rational choice especially when it comes down to prices, the phones we are talking about are the Sony Ericsson Play (PlayStation Phone), the LG Optimus 3D and the Apple iPhone 4. Will you be rational when it comes to buying one of the three smartphones?

We have decided to hold a poll to see what you would vote for out of these top gaming smartphones, the LG Optimus 3D and Sony Ericsson Xperia Play can now be pre-ordered over on Play.com and the Apple iPhone 4 is already available to buy, what will your choice be?

The Xperia Play is 519.99 and is due to be released release on 28 March 2011, the LG Optimus 3D 514.99 and is due for release on 25 April 2011 and the Apple iPhone (We chose the cheapest model on Play.com), which is the 16GB is 689.99.

All 3 handsets are all very good especially when it comes down to specs, they are all fantastic for gaming, emailing, web browsing and so forth but what one will you choose.

Xperia Play Main Features: Google Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), 5.1-megapixel camera with Auto focus/Flash/Geo tagging/Image stabiliser/Touch focus/Video light/Video recording, 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, microSD card support up to 32 GB with 8GB card included, 4-inch 480 x 854 pixels (FWVGA) Capacitive Multi-touch display, and so much more. Pre-order now

LG Optimus 3D Main Features: Android OS 2.2 Froyo, 1GHz Dual-Core Dual-Channel processor, 8GB memory and 4GB LP DDR2, 4.3-inch 3D WVGA touchscreen, 5MP dual-lens camera, 2D 1080p MPEG-4/H.264 recording and playback, 3D: 720p H.264 SEI recording and playback and much more. Pre-order now.

Apple iPhone 4 (16GB) Main Features: 5-megapixel Camera with built in LED flash, Front facing camera for video calls, HD 720p video recording, 3.5-inch Capacitive touchscreen, iOS4 operating system, Multi-touch input, Wi Fi/3G/Bluetooth/GPS connectivity, Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate, Three-axis gyro sensor and much more. Buy Now

Now please look at our poll question below and click the field of your choice, this will allow us to see what choice of smartphone is most popular and helps us understand what our readers prefer. Thanks

What smartphone would you buy?

Apple iPhone 4

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play

LG Optimus 3D

None of the above thanks

View Results

 Loading ...

HTC Merge Announced, Features Global 3G Roaming

In the market for a large-display Android smartphone with a QWERTY keyboard, solid specs and international CDMA support?  You just might have finally found the one with the HTC Merge, a newly-announced slider from the Taiwan-based manufacturer.

Teased in leaks and tips from various sources since late last year, the long-awaited device features global 3G roaming, making it an attractive proposition for many business users and other frequent travelers.  It comes with what appears like a well-spaced landscape QWERTY keyboard, too, which should up the enticement for those in a habit of typing out long messages on their handsets.

Details of the HTC Merge include a 3.8-inch capacitive touchscreen display (800 x 480 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module (with 720p video capture),  aGPS, Wi-Fi and stereo Bluetooth.  While not stated in the press release, it should have a microSD card slot, as HTC has always done with their Android phones.

The device comes with Android 2.2 Froyo, along with the usual Google Mobile Suit and some bundled apps.   HTC Sense is layered over the native Android UI, of course.

Official release of the HTC Merge is slated in the Spring, with no pricing announced.  According to HTC, the handset will be available under multiple North American operators.

[via UnwiredView]

iFixit tears down Galaxy S 4G, lights a fire for science

iFixit's teardown of the Samsung Galaxy S 4G doesn't exactly contain a ton of surprises -- until the very end, that is. Apparently, there's been some talk that Samsung used magnesium instead of aluminum for some of the components, and the best way iFixit could find to test that was to file some dust off the frame and set it ablaze (magnesium's reaction is noticeably different than aluminum). Spoiler alert: it's magnesium. Hit up the link below for the full blow-by-blow account.

PSA: Own An Android 3.0 Device And A Mac? Install This.

Unless you’re the hack-it-yourself type, a lucky blogger type, or the super-early-adopter type, chances are pretty good that you don’t have an Android 3.0 device just yet.

But when that day comes, you’re going to need to transfer files back and forth — and if you’ve got a Mac, things aren’t going to be quite as straightforward as they were on pre-Android 3.0 devices. Whereas simply plugging in the USB cable was once all you’d need, Mac users will now need this here File Transfer utility. Windows users should be a-okay out of the box. That step has managed to confuse just about everyone we know who’s acquired a 3.0-device so far (read the manual? LOL! NERD ALERT!), so consider this a little future-proofing PSA.

PhoneNews.com To Discontinue Advertising Relationship with Google

PhoneNews.com today has decided to cease running advertisements provided by Google. We of course do not take this decision lightly, as Google is one of the largest advertising companies in the world.

Google has decided to begin ranking their search results in part to favor the largest sites on the Internet, which happen to be their largest advertising partners. Their focus on quality content has now taken a backseat to the quality of their partnerships. It’s a game we chose to not be a part of.

While Google refuses to disclose their search algorithms, this is part and parcel of the discourse you may have seen today throughout the tech and search communities. And, we are making this decision to help further convey to Google the Internet community’s discontent.

This is not a lifetime ban of all-things-Google. It is simply our way of voting with our wallets, and hoping that Google returns to an agnostic stance, and comes up with better ways to combat spam. Our search results have been impacted by this move negatively, as Google is now favoring our competitors because of their size, not because of the quality of their content.

This change will be phased in over the next 30 days, and we will instead focus more on direct advertising sales.

Help improve Google (and PhoneNews.com) by sounding off. Comments, tweets, and diggs are all welcomed, and very much appreciated…

Motorola Xoom In-depth Video Review

If you are still sitting on the fence pondering whether to pick up the Android 3.0 Honeycomb Motorola Xoom tablet over waiting for the Apple iPad 2, perhaps a lengthy in-depth review video may help you make up your mind, so that’s what we have below for your consideration.

The Motorola Xoom Android tablet review video comes our way courtesy of the guys over at Daily Mobile and by way of Mobile Tech Review, who have got up close and personal with the Android tablet for some 23 minutes.

As you are probably aware the Motorola Xoom is the first tablet to sport the tablet specific Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system and has a 10.1-inch multi-touch capacitive display with a 1280 x 800 resolution which also makes the Motorola Xoom the highest resolution Android tablet currently on the market.

I could bore you with all the specs, but I’m fairly sure you already know them all and would much rather skip past all this and get to that in-depth review so you can make a knowledgeable judgement on whether you want to purchase the tablet device or not, so don’t let me keep you, jump to it and enjoy.

Bluetooth Headset Hands-On Review: ECO Sound Engineering V268

Our good friends WirelessGround recently sent us the ECO Sound Engineering V268 Bluetooth Wireless Headset and it is that time where we give it our hands-on review, obviously we will give you first impressions, out of the box, about the device itself and of course our verdict.

Before we start we also have plenty of photos we have taken for you to have a look and see what you think about the product, we will try and make this painless and not too boring.

First Impressions – Out Of The Box
Got to admit, when we first saw the ECO Sound Engineering V268 Bluetooth Wireless Headset there was no excitement just a simple box with the headset on show through the plastic insert within, but the box has all the info you need to get an idea what the device can offer you. Keep looking at the box you start to realize it is nice packaging that is simple, to the point and quite cute to be honest. But come on now we are not here to chat about the packaging, this is a review so we will say all.

Let’s Start of With The Size & Weight
Let’s start with the size! WOW is what we think of the size because it is small and in the photos we have taken (See Below) we have put it side-by-side against a 20 pence coin, it is only L33 x W16 x H9.5 (mm) and weighs only 6.4 grams. Even with the ear hook attached it still weighs next to nothing, so if you are not looking for bulky then the ECO Sound Engineering V268 scores a point.

Design and Attractiveness:
The whole design is very good indeed, it is sleek looking and when in the ear you sometimes forget it is there and a few times got out of the car and walked around with the headset still in my ear looking like an idiot know doubt. It is very small indeed and was wondering if this is the sort of headset that would most suit a woman seeing as it is cute, but no is the answer to that because it works and fits well. It is black in colour so that it goes with and fashion or trend.

Ease of Use
To start of with it comes with a little instruction manual, we say little because it is small. The directions are so easy to follow even a non-tech person could follow it; trust us when we say it is VERY easy to use. Read the next bit just to get an idea, and we will make it sound easier than the directions sheet it came with.

Our Quick Directions
Grab your mobile phone and then switch it off to refresh it (You only need to do this once) this is not needed but good to refresh handset. Now turn it back on and go into your settings and turn phone’s Bluetooth on, now grab the V268 Bluetooth Wireless Headset and hold the button (The one with the phone picture) down for 6 seconds, it will flash blue and then you will be prompted on the phone for a code, enter 0000 and job done your paired.

How Much Is It
This is the best part; the regular price is normally $29.95 but thanks to WirelessGround stamping a 67 percent saving on it you can buy for only and get this ONLY $9.95. Now that is a bargain

Operating Distance and Usage Times
You can use this device up to 10 meters away from your device and it will give you up to around 4.5 hours talk time and up to about 100 hours standby time. Charging the device will take about 2 hours for full charge.

Our Overall Verdict
Got to admit it is fairly small, you know the part where the word “Dainty” comes into play, it only comes with 2 Buttons; +/- volume and multi-function button for easy call answer, reject, end, redial, and voice dialing, simplicity is always a good thing. It is lightweight and the call clarity is reasonable, a little bit distorted at times but that could have been the area I was in.

I did receive phones calls and out of about 10 people one said that I sounded like I was in a fish bowl, does kind of make me wonder how many fish bowls they have sat in but hey. The price tag of only $9.95 is fantastic and you are getting a decent Bluetooth headset, the LED light is great because it responds to your input. This is good value for money.

Please do head on over to WirelessGround and bag yourself a bargain, only $9.95 and with free shipping. Please do look at all our photos of the ECO Sound Engineering V268 Bluetooth Wireless Headset and below that you can watch the YouTube video of WirelessGround’s Larry Greenberg video review.

The Photos

HTC Thunderbolt Pushed Back To March 4th Or Later?

If we were going by Verizon’s own announcements, the HTC Thunderbolt and it’s big ol’ Android-powered screen would have hit the shelves by mid-February. And yet, nothing; a quick glance at Verizon’s current smartphone line-up makes nary a mention of the Thunderbolt, and the dedicated Thunderbolt page is still promising info “before it hits” to anyone who will fork over an e-mail address.

According to one Best Buy store out of Roseville, CA (or, as us Bay Area jerks call it, “Where?”), the Thunderbolt has quietly slipped back to a launch date of March 4th or later. No matter how you look at it, March 4th doesn’t quite fit within the “mid-February” window. So, why the delay? Are they giving their shiny new iPhone more room to breath? Are they worried about the new MacBook Pro’s Thunderbolt feature confusing folks? The world may never know.

Android Apps Play Nice on BlackBerry

A while ago we reported that BlackBerry maker Research In Motion was working on software so that Android apps could work on the new BlackBerry PlayBook, you can check out that report by hitting up (here), but apparently it’s not just the BlackBerry PlayBook.

According to an article over on Slash Gear and by way of the Boy Genus Report, mobile app developer ShopSavvy is reporting that their Android app has apparently been caught being tested on several BlackBerry handsets.

Word is those RIM handsets running the Android -only app were caught by Flurry and were the BlackBerry 8600 on the 17th and 24th of Jan, the BlackBerry 8300 on the 31st of Jan and the BlackBerry 8520 on the 7th of this month.

ShopSavvy have posted the Flurry logs to their website as evidence that Research In Motion is indeed testing Android apps on their smartphones.

Deutsche Telekom revenue up 0.4 per cent in 2010

Revenue up slightly but German operator says it could have been more if not been for government taxes, the economic crisis and depreciation

Deutsche Telekom posted an increase in net revenue of €62.4 billion – a year-on-year rise of 0.4 percent and an adjusted net profit of of €3.4 billion – a sum that is on par with 2009.

However profits could have been larger were it not for a €582 million loss in Q4 which was blamed on depreciation costs and a new special tax on mobile operators in Hungary.

Adjusted core earnings also declined by 6 per cent to €19.5 billion but the company said this was expected due to the fact T-Mobile UK figures are no longer calculated into results.

Deutsche Telekom said economic conditions were still making trading difficult in Greece and Romania but said other countries such as Poland and the Netherlands had developed “very positively”.

Strong growth trends continued in the US, where T-Mobile USA average data revenues per user climbed 25.5 per cent over the year due in part to the number of smartphones in use on its network rising by 1 million to finish at 8.2 million.

T-Mobile USA recorded total revenue of $21.3 billion in 2010 – on par with 2009 results.

Deutsche Telekom chief executive Rene Obermann (pictured) said: “We delivered solid figures in 2010. We have battled through the headwind caused by the economic environment, special taxes in several countries, and stiff competition.

“I am particularly pleased about the slight increase in revenue.=

At the same time, we have started to implement our new strategy and invested in the future. You have to sow before you can reap.”

Deutsche Telekom said it expects earnings to remain “almost” stable in the 2011 financial year.

Buy Verizon Motorola Xoom, Price Details & Decision

The Motorola Xoom is one of the most powerful tablets on the market and you can visit Verizon and buy the Motorola Xoom, we will give you a few details covering quick specs, prices and some important must read info.

The Motorola Xoom was named the best in show at Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2011 and everyone has been talking about this Android tab, this is the world’s first tablet with Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system that has been specifically designed for tablets.

Main features Include: Dual–core 1GHz processor, 32GB internal memory, 1GB of Low Power DDR2 RAM, Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), 10.1-inch HD Widescreen (16:10) Display, Charge Time Up to approx. 3.5 hours, 1280×800 WXGA Resolution, Up to approx 10 hours Browsing over WiFi, Up to approx 9 hours Browsing over 3G, Up to approx 3.3 days MP3 playback, Up to approx 14 days Standby and Up to approx 10 hours Video Playback Time.

The Motorola Xoom Tablet also features a 2MP front–facing Webcam and a 5.0 Megapixel rear camera featuring Indicator Light, 720p HD Video Capture & Playback, Auto Focus, Digital Zoom and Dual led flash. Also it comes with Android Music Player, 3.5mm Headset Jack and so much more.

The Motorola Xoom is upgradable and in that we mean at the moment you can enjoy Verizon’s 3G-network experience with the future of upgrading to 4G LTE.

The Important Bit: Subject to customer agreement Calling Plan & credit approval there will be an early termination fee of up to $350 for advance devices.

Now The Motorola Xoom Tablet Price: There are two choices here, you can opt for the month-on-month price of $799.99 or you can choose the 2-Year contract agreement and pay only $599.99. It does include free shipping. So head on over to Verizon Wireless and buy the Motorola Xoom, so what will you decision be, will you buy or not? Answer the poll question below please, thanks.

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HTC Salsa & ChaCha Release Date and Preorder: No Price

The latest news covering the HTC Salsa and HTC ChaCha release date and pre-order is here, at the moment no price has been announced but at least you can show your interest over on Expansys.

Both the HTC Salsa and HTC ChaCha has been marked up for availability according to online retailer Expansys from June 17, according to ITProPortal that means that these mobile phones will release after the Facebook dedicated phone the INQ Cloud Touch.

The HTC ChaCha and Salsa mobile phones will both be enhanced with interactivity with Facebook and both offers some good specs, they will also have a branded Facebook key on the front fascia and dedicated apps.

Both handsets will run on Android Gingerbread being it version 2.3 or version 2.3.3, VGA cameras on the front and both will feature a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus.

The differences between the two starts with the ChaCha having a 2.6-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen with a real QWERTY keyboard, and the Salsa will come with a 3.4-inch touchscreen display.

If you would like to preorder the HTC Salsa please do here, if you would prefer to preorder the HTC ChaCha then it will be here. As soon as a price has been released on Expansys we will let you know, we would love to know if you prefer the Salsa or the ChaCha.

Microsoft Research teases Windows Phones controlling Surfaces and crazy desktop UIs

Hey, look, at this point, we just want ourselves some good, old-fashioned copy and paste -- but we'll give Microsoft some credit for looking a year (or two, or ten) beyond that watermark at what could be coming down the pike for human-machine interaction -- and specifically, how phones could play a role. In a presentation and promotional video pulled together this week, Microsoft Research boss Craig Mundie shows how you could tilt your smartphone to control a bubbly, colorful look into your personal life on your desktop machine and how you could snap a photo and then drop the handset onto a Surface for instant transfer (perhaps a bit like HP's Touch to Share), among other gems. Of course, this is all pure research at this point -- it's any guess whether these comments could make the jump to production, and if so, when -- but it's fun to watch. Follow the break for video.

[Thanks, Jake]

Sprint allegedly talking to LightSquared over 4G infrastructure deal, Clearwire should be sweating

Bloomberg is citing "three people familiar with the talks" (it's not often that we get a specific number!) as saying that LightSquared is in active negotiations with Sprint to use its network infrastructure as it builds out its L-band LTE network. As you might recall, LightSquared is the would-be 4G wholesaler that is in the process of repurposing some satellite spectrum for terrestrial LTE use -- a concept the FCC has approved, but concerns over GPS interference could end up delaying or derailing the strategy altogether if they aren't solved to everyone's satisfaction. Of course, building out any sort of national terrestrial wireless network is a multi-billion dollar, multi-year type of venture, and presumably a tie-up with Sprint to use some of its hardware would help move matters along. What this means for Sprint's existing dealings with Clearwire is unclear; the two operate a WiMAX network together, after all, but the carrier has made it clear in the past that LTE could definitely be an option in the future.

Android Gingerbread Google Nexus S: Vodafone UK Now Shipping

For those Android fans in the United Kingdom who are waiting to get their hands on the latest Android 2.3 Gingerbread packing smartphone from the Google guys, the Google Nexus S, you just might be pleased to know that Vodafone UK has now begun shipping the device.

According to an article over on Phandroid and by way of the guys over at Eurodroid, potential owners of the Samsung built handset can now purchase the smartphone direct from Vodafone UK with monthly tariffs beginning at 25 quid.

For your 25 per month based on a 2-year contract, you will receive the Google Nexus S as a free handset, 100 minutes, 500 texts and 500MB of mobile internet.

If you prefer to shell out a little extra, for 30 per month you’ll get the Samsung Nexus S for free along with 600 minutes, unlimited texts, and 500MB mobile internet, while for 35 a month you get 1200 minutes, unlimited texts and 750MB mobile internet, all on a 2-year term of course.

However if you want to cut that contract length down to 18 months and still get the Google Nexus S for free it will set you back 40 a month for which you’ll get 900 minutes, unlimited texts and 750MB mobile internet.

Xperia Play Dock Price: Preorder via Expansys

At last weeks launch of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Phone in Barcelona’s Opium Mar a docking station for the phone was unveiled, the Sony Ericsson Multimedia Dock aka DK300.

Expansys.com are currently advertising the DK300 for 34.99 and its availability is due: Tuesday 22nd March, which can be pre-ordered at their online store.

The DK300 comes with a microUSB socket, which will enable the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Phone (aka Playstation phone or PSP Phone) to connect to a PC for a constant sync and charge. The USB socket can also be used to connect the phone to a mains charger, for an even speedier charge.

ITProPortal.com advise that the docking station also comes with a 3.5mm socket for connection to a wide range of headphones or speakers. Therefore, your Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Phone could be turned into a music station.

According to the makers of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, this phone is going to be the best gaming smartphone to date. Therefore, the addition of a DK300 Multimedia docking station can only make that gaming experience even better for the user.

iOS 4.3 To Go Gold Next Week?

Oh, rumor mill — how you tug at our heart strings. Early this month, the ol’ mill was promising that iOS 4.3 would be hitting our iPhones and iPads on Valentine’s Day. Alas, while Valentine’s Day brought plenty of things (cheap chocolates for some, lonely hangovers for others), iOS 4.3 wasn’t one of’em.

Weeks have passed since, and 4.3 is still nowhere in sight. According to BGR, the iOS team is wrapping things up right this second, with plans to release things in finalized form (be it to everyone or just developers isn’t clear right now) next week or so. How conveniently timed!

Want to know what’s new in iOS 4.3? Here’s our list.