2.02.2011

5 Top Tips for Buying an Android Device

In the wake of the recent Consumer Electronics (CES) Show, a growing number of new Android devices are hitting the market. With the excitement over new tablets running the forthcoming 3.0 (Honeycomb) OS as well as smart phones utilizing 4G networks, buying an Android can be as challenging as it is exciting.

There are important distinctions in feature sets and capabilities across devices. Before opting for a certain device, you should always review multiple options as well as the roadmap for future releases.

These tips can help you navigate your way to buying the right device for your needs:

1. Consider buying a new dual-core Motorola Atrix Android for improved mobility

For those looking for a combined smart phone and laptop solution, your dream Android may be on the way. Set for release this spring, Motorola showcased the Atrix 4G Android device at the Consumer Electronics show. As the first dual-core Android model capable of docking on a laptop, the phone allows you to have a complete mobility solution. For frequent travelers and those on the go, the Atrix might be just what the robot ordered.

2. Review your functional needs to optimize the performance of your Android apps

As an open mobility platform, Android devices come in a variety of form factors, OS variants and hardware capabilities. While most current Android phones utilize version 2.3 (known as Gingerbread), the exact capabilities of the device can vary widely. Hybrid models such as the Dell Streak as customized with a media interface while other devices offer a more standard experience. Always try out a variety of phones before making a final decision.

3. Evaluate OS variants and consider Nexus S for a “pure” Android experience

For Android purists looking for a true “out of the box” solution, Google partners with HTC to produce the Nexus S. You can buy these phones through Google for activation on nearly any cellular network. With state of the art hardware and a pure OS installation, they’re worth checking out.

4. See if you can benefit from 4G connections in your area for lighting fast speeds

The fourth generations of mobility networks are deploying rapidly, and patient buyers can find the right Android phones compatible with these new broadband speeds. Check to see if your device and carrier can support the latest networks.

5. It may be worth waiting for Honeycomb (OS 3.0) for Android tablets such as Motorola Xoom

Android tablets are rapidly emerging to compete with iPad models and beyond. Google previewed Android OS 3.0 at CES, showcasing a stable OS customized for the needs of tablet devices. IF you’re looking for a tablet, then you may want to consider waiting for models such as the Motorola Xoom to be released later this year.

Bonus tip: If you don’t know what to buy just yet, you can always Want it first

Wantlet can help you a whole lot to get more info about anything you are planning to buy, including an Android phone. Just do the following:

1) Go to www.wantlet.com, sign-in with your Facebook account
2) Want an “Android Phone”
3) Stay tuned with comments and deals!

By Kristian Luoma from Wantlet.com says “Hope you make the right choice and find joy in your new device!”

Ringtone Remix Pro App for iPhone Available

For those iOS device owners that enjoy being creative when it comes to ringtones there’s a new app available on the App Store that enables the user to create their own free ringtones from music they already own.

The Ringtone Remix Pro app for the iPhone from Electric Pocket puts apowerful ringtone creation studio right onto your iPhone so you can create ringtones from your iPod music along with the ability to connect with Dropbox to sync and share your ringtones.

With Ringtone Remix Pro the user can zoom in and choose their favourite part and use it as a ringtone, preview the tone to see how it will loop, opt to have the ringtone fade in as an escalating tone, and select the ringtone as a caller ringtone or calendar alert.

With Ringtones Remix Pro making a ringtone is easy all the user needs to do is choose a track, select the section they want from the real music waveform and then save it as a tone and to select a particular part the user just slides the start and end sliders to a specific area and hit save.

The Ringtone Remi8x Pro app for the iPhone is available right now to download from iTunes as a cost of $0.99.

Mobgets Alternative App Store Launched, Attacks Apple

There’s a new applications store gone live that delivers a way of grabbing mobile apps for your smartphone without being tied to such places as the iOS App Store, and is apparently a unique European take on the mobile app market.

Mobgets is a cross-platform, non-exclusive app store for app downloads to mobile devices. Mobgets says why have a closed apps platform so developers can’t publish their won apps to their own websites without the need to go through the Apple store.

So basically they are taking a swipe at Apple, and their App Store and offers themselves as an alternative for developers and smartphone users to upload and download applications. The also appear to have something against the term “apps” and say it is an Americanised word.

Apparently Mobgets have apps for Android, Symbian, BlackBerry, Samsung Bada, Palm, and Microsoft phones and offer free and paid apps according to their Facebook info, no mention of iPhone apps though that I can see.

Still and alternative app store is an another source for getting those apps onto your smartphone, although it does appear they have a real downer on Apple and the iPhone as shown in their YouTube promo video which we have for your viewing pleasure below.

So will any of our readers be tempted to use Mobgets for their app downloads, if so feel free to let us know how you get on and if there are any problems.

T-Mobile Launches Galaxy S 4G, Now With 100% More 4G

Hey T-Mobile Vibrant owners — feel that sting? That’s the cold slap of the cruelest mistress known to the gadget world: planned obsolescence. Just 7 months after the launch of the Vibrant, T-Mobile has announced that its oh-so-marginally-improved successor, the Galaxy S 4G, will launch sometime in February.

Given that most of the details surrounding the Galaxy S 4G have already leaked out or been announced, the main point of tonight’s announcement was the launch date. It’s odd, then, that T-Mobile is holdin’ out with the specifics beyond sometime “in February”.

As for the whole planned obsolescence thing, don’t feel too bad; outside of the name change and support for T-Mobile’s kinda-sorta-but-not-really-4G network, the Vibrant and the Galaxy S 4G are pretty much the same thing.

(Oh, and the Galaxy S 4G comes preloaded with a copy of Inception. Unless T-Mobile hired some dude to go in my dreams and make me think it comes with a copy of Inception. BWAAAARGH)

HTC Thunderbolt might be getting simultaneous voice and data on 3G after all

We won't lie: we've been pretty skeptical of the rumors so far that the HTC Thunderbolt would have support for simultaneous voice and data over EV-DO -- SVDO, as it's known -- turned on. Perhaps more than any other US carrier, Verizon has a reputation for testing the living daylights out of devices and locking out hardware that doesn't meet its reliability standards, and so we were a little leery of some supposedly leaked internal communication not long ago letting reps know that although it'll be enabled, it shouldn't be discussed because it doesn't offer an "experience... consistent with [their] brand." Well, we've just been fed a second document that features the same wording, so it looks like this might be real after all -- and what's more, it's got updated verbiage stating that mobile hotspot capability will be available at launch, contrary to other leaks floating around today. This particular document is dated today, so we're feeling good that the information is current -- and if anything, it should get potential Thunderbolt buyers more excited than ever.

[Thanks, David]

2.01.2011

Harrison and Stapleton take new roles at Best Buy Europe

Andrew Harrison and Graham Stapleton promoted to lead Best Buy Europe, Carphone Warehouse’s retail joint venture with US giant Best Buy, as Scott Wheway returns to the US shareholder

Andrew Harrison (pictured left) has been promoted to the role of chief executive officer of Best Buy Europe, Carphone Warehouse’s joint venture with US electronics retailer Best Buy.

Harrison took the role of chief operating officer of the joint venture in July, promoted from chief executive of Carphone Warehouse Europe.

He reports to the joint venture board.

Scott Wheway, who has held the role since establishment of the joint venture in X, returns to his role within the US Best Buy business.

In tandem, Carphone Warehouse chief commercial officer Graham Stapleton (pictured right) has taken the role of Best Buy Europe chief operating officer.

Brian Dunn, chief executive of Best Buy and chair of the Best Buy Europe JV board, remarked: “Andrew has has consistently proven himself ahead of the curve in anticipating the needs of consumers and shaping differentiating retail experiences.

“This move has been planned for some time and is part of our overall strategy of integrating the Best Buy and Carphone Warehouse teams to create Europe’s leading consumer electronics retailer.”

He said of Wheway: “I am pleased Scott will continue to work with us on international strategy. I want to thank him for guiding us through the foundation of Best Buy’s entry into the European market and giving us a clear strategy for progress.”

Wheway said: “I am delighted to be handing over to Andrew. We’ve formed a strong team and working partnership over the last two years, which has successfully launched our Best Buy store format in the UK and evolved our ‘Connected World’ strategy across our multiple brands.”

Verizon Posts Mac Driver for Pantech UML290 LTE Modem

Verizon 4G LTE driver table

Following up on previous statements, Verizon has posted its Mac OS X update for the Pantech UML290 modem which enables complete support for both Tiger/Leopard and Snow Leopard, though only in 32-bit versions. The drivers for the LG VL600 have yet to be posted, but are expected to be available next month.

Mystery Shopper: Blackpool

Mystery Shopper is looking for a 12 month contract with a free smartphone. What do the retailers’ Blackpool outlets have to offer?

5: Phones 4U

Product range – 1/5
Product knowledge – 3/5
Airtime knowledge – 2/5
Questioning ability – 1/5
Sales ability – 1/5
Shop appearance – 5/5
Total – 13/30

4: Carphone Warehouse

Product range – 1/5
Product knowledge – 2/5
Airtime knowledge – 3/5
Questioning ability – 1/5
Sales ability – 2/5
Shop appearance – 5/5
Total – 14/30

3: T-Mobile

Product range – 1/5
Product knowledge – 2/5
Airtime knowledge – 3/5
Questioning ability – 3/5
Sales ability – 2/5
Shop appearance – 5/5
Total – 16/30

2: Vodafone

Product range – 1/5
Product knowledge – 3/5
Airtime knowledge – 3/5
Questioning ability – 2/5
Sales ability – 3/5
Shop appearance – 5/5
Total – 17/30

1: Three

Product range – 1/5
Product knowledge – 4/5
Airtime knowledge – 3/5
Questioning ability – 3/5
Sales ability – 3/5
Shop appearance – 5/5
Total – 19/30

Summary

None of the stores visited could offer a free smartphone on a 12 month contract, resulting in a battle over value and service on 18 and 24 month deals.

A wide range of tariffs were detailed, generally the proposition value was similar in terms of free minutes, texts and data, except Three, whose ‘One Plan’ was head and shoulders above all others.

Handset recommendations were also very similar. HTC is a clearly respected and popular choice among retailers despite the numerous Android handsets from rival firms now available.

Full review in Mobile News issue 481 (January 31, 2010).