mobiles.io - The Mobiles Blog

PS Vita pre-order today! Free gifts at mobiles.co.uk

2012-02-07T11:36:25+00:00

We’re happy to announce that Mobiles.co.uk are now taking pre-orders for the PlayStation Vita. Sony’s latest gaming console, short named the PS Vita, is set to become the portable gaming device of 2012! We can’t wait to finally play on the PS Vita, which will be unleashed across the UK on 22nd February. If you want to make sure you don’t miss out on the action, pre-order your console with mobiles.co.uk; not only will you receive the PS Vita without the enduring those launch day shopping queues, you’ll also a fantastic free gift.

PS Vita specs

Offering high powered, full throttle gaming, the PlayStation Vita showcases your favourite titles upon the eye catching 5 inch OLED touchscreen. With launch titles such as the adventurous Uncharted: Golden Abyss or the fast paced Wipeout-2048, PlayStation are making sure their PS Vita hosts some of the hottest new titles around. Built with a quad core processor, the PS Vita handles high performance graphics with smoothness and grace. There’s great flexibility in the way you control your games too, with dual analogue sticks, action and shoulder buttons, rear touch pads and PlayStations own Six-axis motion sensing system; the technology that lets you shake and tilt your PS Vita to enhance your game play experience. There are two models of the PlayStation Vita available from mobiles.co.uk. Choosing the right PS Vita for you will depend on how you wish to use the internet on your portable games console.

PS Vita Wi-Fi

Connect your PS Vita to a nearby wireless hotspot to access the PlayStation Network; your hub for playing against other competitors across the world. It’s hugely addictive fun trying to climb the leader boards of your favourite games. Additional features let you download bonus content such as wallpapers, themes or demos. Keeping in touch with friends is easy as you text or voice call your friends through the PSN. With front and rear cameras built into the PS Vita, you can even catch up with friends over a video call.

PS Vita Wi-Fi priced at £229. Pre-order today!

PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi

If you want online access when you’re out and about, then you need the PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi. With 3G built into the upgraded version of the PS Vita, you have access to the internet, anytime and anywhere. As the PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi is designed for on the go gaming, this model also boasts GPS. By knowing your position on a map, the PS Vita can bring you Augmented Reality gaming: Imagine fleeing from hordes of zombies in your local neighbourhood; the technology to do this safely has arrived. The PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi will still give you the full access to the PlayStation Network as seen on the Wi-Fi edition.

PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi priced at £279. Pre-order today!

Free memory card when you preorder the PS Vita

Did you know when you order the PlayStation Vita from mobiles.co.uk, you’re entitled to an awesome free gift? Everyone who pre-orders will receive a free 4GB memory card; a must have for saving game progress or downloading additional content.

PS Vita as a free gift

You can even get the PS Vita Wi-Fi as a free gift with your next mobile phone contract. Prices start from just £15.50 per month. Likewise, the PS Vita 3G + Wi-Fi is also a free gift, starting from £20.50 per month.

Take a visit to mobiles.co.uk to reserve yours today.

The Full Monty – T-Mobile reveal all!

2012-02-02T16:50:37+00:00

No we’re not blogging about the hit film of six unemployed Sheffield steel workers. The Full Monty is T-Mobiles latest tariff table which exposes you to everything; unlimited calls, texts AND data, starting at £36 per month.

As a smartphone generation we are now guzzling deeper into our tariff allowances, requiring more data for downloading games or streaming our favourite songs. Even that push Tweet notification will peck a byte or two from your data allowance. T-Mobile state that their Full Monty tariffs aim to “truly blow their customers socks off” by offering an enticing bargain that’s impossible to refuse.

The Full Monty will dance its way onto your smartphone from just £36 per month, offering unlimited texts, unlimited internet and 2000 minutes (that’s still nearly a day and a half of calls!). At just £41 per month, you can leave that cap off, as even the minutes have no limit. The additional tariffs of £46 or £61 per month, offer the same unlimited package but with a range of better smartphones and access to more gifts. Through mobiles.co.uk, you can get your hands on the iPhone 4S for free from £41 per month with unlimited EVERYTHING.

How does this compare to the One Plan from Three?
The £36 per month Full Monty deal directly tackles the One Plan from Three; which for £35 per month serves up 2000 minutes, 5000 texts and All You Can Eat data without the fair usage cap. One feature Full Monty provides over the One Plan is the option to tether your smartphone to your laptop or tablet. Tethering enables you to set your smartphone up as a Wi-Fi hotspot so your laptop can connect to the online world. With unlimited data available in the Full Monty package, could this deal tease customers into using a mobile internet connection over home broadband? T-Mobile’s latest offer could be a game changer in the way we purchase our data. Let’s hope the other networks respond with competitive deals in due course.

Greater clarity on choosing your Tariff
If you feel like you don’t need unlimited everything, then T-Mobile are renaming their data tariffs to cater for internet usage. There are four categories; Basic, Standard, Extra, and Super. Basic Intenet is ideal for those who don’t really use it except for the odd email or Facebook post. Standard Internet lets you cover a little YouTube comedy and is set for your low usage smartphone user. Extra internet is great for those who download lots of apps or stream BBC iPlayer and Super Internet is for the online addicts amongst us. Both Extra and Super internet let you tether.

So for those who want it all plus a little bit more, the unveiling of the Full Monty looks set to catch the attention of many.

See the best deals that come loaded with the Full Monty package.

Free iPhone games : Our favourites from iOS

2012-02-02T16:42:11+00:00

Last week we gave a rundown of our 5 favourite free Android games. This week we trawl Apple’s chart for some essential free iOS games, available to play on devices such as the Apple iPhone 4S and iPad 2. All the fun and all for free, here’s five free iPhone games apps which we’re addicted to.

Jetpack Joyride

First in our free iPhone games list is Jetpack Joyride. Meet Barry. He may wear a suit but he’s far from your regular guy. After breaking into a secret laboratory, Barry has commandeered a selection of jetpacks. With mad scientists, rapid fire missiles and deadly laser beams destined to stop Barry in his tracks, your mission is to control the Jetpack to avoid these hazards. Just touch the display to add more boost to your jetpack. Timing and quick reflexes are essential. High scores are determined by distance covered and the coins collected. It’s essential thrust filled fun in your quest to help Barry stay alive.

Like this games app? Download Jetpack Joyride from the free iOS games chart.

iPhone | iPad

Ninja Fishing

Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Teach a Ninja to fish and he’ll slice the scaly beasts right out of the water! By casting your hook as deep as possible into the ocean, use tilt controls to reel back in as many fish as possible. Once out the water, use your sword to descale the fish ready for market; a concept similar to Fruit Ninja. With over 50 fishes to catch, there’s great variety within this free iPhone games app. It’s manic fish and slash gameplay, that will keep you coming back for more.

Like this games app? Download Ninja Fishing from the free iOS games chart.

iPhone | iPad

Mega Jump

How high can you jump? Help Redford defy gravity as he collects coins in efforts to throw himself higher towards the edge of the universe and beyond. Miss the cash however and you will plummet to a fall of shame. Guide Redford by tilting your iPhone left or right; the controls are easy to pick up and are surprisingly effective. As with Jetpack Joyride, it has the addictive element, making it acceptable to have “just one more go” in order to get further. With Facebook and Twitter integration, you’ll justify the extra time spent on Mega Jump to leap above your friends on the ranking lists.

Like this games app? Download Mega Jump from the free iOS games chart.

iPhone | iPad

Bejewelled Blitz

The next app in our iPhone games chart pushes the mind to the limits! With a screen preloaded full of mismatching bling, your task is to swap jewels around to form horizontal or vertical lines of the same coloured jewel. Bigger lines means more points. Sound easy? The panic and dread of the looming 60 second time limit, adds pressure which would crack any diamond. With the highest scores awarded to those who craft multiple combos or collect Hypercubes, you need to plan your moves a few steps ahead to dazzle the ranking lists. If you get stumped for too long, arrows hint your next jewel switch to help you dive straight back into the action. We think this game rocks and is a worthy entrant in our free iPhone games list.

Like this games app? Download Bejewelled Blitz from the free iOS games chart.

iPhone | iPad

..And our free iPhone games favourite: Slam Dunk King

Our final app from our free iPhone games list is fresh from PikPok. Slam Dunk King, challenges your finger swiping skills to master the hoops and dunk as many balls as possible. Flaunt your skills with trick dunks and smooth moves to earn as many points as possible. Watch out for the bombs though, they’ll blow up your basket! There’s a selection of games including Time Attack, Arcade and Sudden Death to choose from. With additional options to earn or buy coins to unlock new balls, courts and mascots, Slam Dunk King is sure to keep you bouncing from boredom!

Like this games app? Download Slam Dunk King from the free iOS games chart.

iPhone | iPad

So there’s our round up of our favourite free games available on the iOS platform. We’ld like to apologise in advance for any unsociable acts you may put your friends through as you strive for a new high score. Addictive and free, they’ll definitely keep you occupied. Join us next week for our run down on free games available from the Windows Phone Marketplace.

For the latest info on the iOS platform.

View info on iOS devices:
iPhone 4S | iPhone 4 | iPhone 3GS | iPad 2

Free Android games apps – Fun and Free!

2012-01-26T11:53:43+00:00

Last month, Google revealed that their total number of downloaded Android apps had passed the 10 billion mark. The largest slice of the app pie went to games, with a staggering 25.6% of all apps downloaded, that’s 2,560 million games downloaded so far. Phew. Here’s our rundown of the top 5 free Android games available on the market at the moment.

5 – Zombie Dash

At the time of writing, this game holds the number 1 spot on the freebie Android games chart, having toppled the mighty Angry Birds from its pedestal. The secret of the Android games success is down to two things. The first aspect is its simplicity – you have two moves at your disposal, jump and shoot. The second aspects is zombies. People like zombies. Especially when you can shoot them. When jump and shoot is combined with zombies, you have a winning formula, as 5 million Android games downloads have so far confirmed.

Like this games app? Download Zombie Dash from the free Android games chart.

4 – Pool Master Pro

Pool has always been a popular game subject whatever the platform, and the Android games version continues the trend with its 10 million downloads. Offering practice modes, as well as options to play against a friend or the computer, simply add a pint of lager and bowl of stale peanuts to recreate your local pool hall as accurately as possible without ever leaving the house.

Like this games app? Download Pool Master Pro from the free Android games chart.

3 – Fruit Slice

There has been much debate over the two fruit based slicing games currently available. Fruit Slice and Fruit Ninja offer a very similar setup; various items of fresh fruit fly through the air as you swipe the touchscreen to split each item of your potential five-a-day. The plentiful produce is occasionally punctuated by Looney Tunes style bombs, which you have to avoid or its game over. It may sound dull, but it’s hugely addictive stuff. On the Android games chart, Fruit Ninja has the highest placing (although they both have 10 million downloads), but we suspect that this is just down to it having the better name. Ninjas are cool – ‘nuff said. Judged on the games themselves, however, Fruit Slice is the clear victor. It offers more games on the app itself, much better graphics, and a smoother gameplay. If you have a spare fifteen minutes to waste though, either of the two will pass the time nicely.

Like this games app? Download Fruit Slice from the free Android games chart.

2 – Words With Friends

This game is essentially Scrabble, but slower, which doesn’t necessarily sound too exciting, but stay with us on this one. The slow nature of the game is essentially its unique selling point, as it’s great for taking out on your afternoon break, playing your go, and then forgetting about it until later. The game consists of a Scrabble style set-up where you make words with the lettered tiles you are given, trying to use the double/triple letter/word squares to hit maximum points. As the title suggests, you can connect with your favourite social networking site to challenge your friends, or select random player in order to take on a mystery opponent from anywhere in the world. It would appear that ‘Words with Friends or Stangers’ just wasn’t as catchy a title. Either way, it has 10 million downloads to date.

Like this games app? Download Words With Friends from the free Android games chart.

..And number 1 of our Android games – Angry Birds

Probably the most popular smartphone game ever, with a mere 50 million downloads at the time of writing, our number 1 spot goes to those perturbed avians, the Angry Birds. It’s a total mystery as to why they are quite so angry, or why they take out their frustration by loading themselves into slingshots in order to systematically assassinate a race of green disembodied pigs with a penchant for flimsy architecture, but they just do. Spawning a series of themed sequels and special editions, such as the Halloween and Rio editions, and their very own merchandising line in the real world, the Angry Birds seem pretty unstoppable… especially if you’re a pig with no legs..

Like this games app? Download Angry Birds from the free Android games chart.

But why take our word for it, all Android games mentioned are free of charge so log onto the Android Market and check them out for yourself.

Prefer portable console gaming to Android games apps? Check out our blog on the soon to be released PS Vita. If you’ve played these free Android games, let us know what you think of them on our Facebook page. Find out more about Android smartphones.

Sony Xperia S – Release Date & Complete Roundup

2012-01-24T15:40:05+00:00

Due to be released this spring is Sony’s latest smartphone creation; the Sony Xperia S. Having removed Ericsson from their name, this marks a fresh start for the Japanese juggernauts. Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month, we delve deep into the details of why this smartphone promises to be one of the top handset highlights for 2012. The flagship phone for Sony in 2012, it will directly take on the new Apple iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S3.

Hardcore Hardware

If smartphones were judged entirely by their figures and numbers, the Sony Xperia S would confidently challenge the top trumps of the mobile industry. The 1.5GHz dual core processor is 25% faster than the iPhone 4S or Samsung Galaxy S2. Its LED-backlit 4.3 inch display towers above Apple’s smartphone range and is complimented by the transparent LED illuminated strip that shows off the necessary navigation buttons. Armed with NFC technology, the Sony Xperia S is ready for the increased reliability smartphones will have in card transactions and augmented reality.

Ice Cream Sandwich OS

Nothing tastes sweeter than the ability to optimise your smartphones performance. Android’s latest OS, Ice Cream Sandwich, will help you get the most out of the meaty hardware encased within the Sony Xperia S.

PlayStation Certified

Being manufactured by Sony can only be a good thing when you consider they own one of the greatest games console franchises of all time. It’s great to see they’ve branded the Xperia S as a PlayStation Certified smartphone, giving you access to a whole library of PS1 classics tailored for smartphones.

In addition to the PlayStation Certified range, the Android Market provides over 300,000 apps at your disposal, including the PlayStation Classic, Grand Theft Auto III. Wherever you download your games, the Sony Xperia S will charge through their exhaustive demands without losing breath, thanks to its already praised 1.5GHz dual core processor.

Capture it all – Camera Specs

Worries in photo quality between camera smartphone and camera are phasing out for the casual happy snapper. Capturing 12 megapixel photos, the Sony Xperia S offers a resolution that’s competitive against standalone cameras. The inclusion of an Exmor R mobile CMOS sensor maximises light availability in your picture to help prevent dark and gloomy snaps. With a 1080p high definition rear facing camera, your video memories are sure to look crisp and detailed. There’s even a front facing camera perfect for video calls that captures it all in 720p high definition. To help achieve that perfect photo, the camera hardware is provided all the trimmings; touch focus, face detection, image stabilisation, geo-tagging, LED flash and 3D sweep panorama, making the Sony Xperia S a truly sensational camera smartphone.

Sony Xperia S UK release date

Not long to wait until the release day as the Sony Xperia S will be available in the UK at the start of March. For a full product spec and all the info on the Sony Xperia S, visit our coming soon page.

So there’s our run down on another hotly tipped smartphone for 2012. Does the Sony Xperia S excite you? Let us know on our Facebook page.

HTC Flyer and Beats headphones up for grabs in our competition

2012-01-23T13:26:14+00:00

To celebrate our latest offers on HTC smartphones, we have a fantastic competition where you can win a great tech bundle worth £560! The winning entrant will not only receive a HTC Flyer tablet, but a pair of Beats Solo headphones to accompany your audio pleasure.

HTC Flyer

The HTC Flyer is a 7 inch tablet that’s upgradeable to Android Honeycomb. Offering 3G and Wi-Fi access keep in touch with your friends Facebook updates at a swipe of a finger; alternatively comment to them directly with the front facing video calling feature. Equipped with a Magic Pen, it’s the perfect tool for producing fine details or brushstrokes. With a 16GB internal memory (and external memory expandable by another 32GB), the HTC Flyer is great for storing all your favourite music and more. The meaty 1.5GHz processor ensures the HTC Flyer is a reliable tablet that won’t let you down when running powerful applications.

Beats Solo headphones

Beats are the prestigious headphones by musical icon Dr. Dre. Let the music move you, as you hear layers you would struggle to pick up through normal headphones. With enhanced bass, Beats Solo headphones bring out all out the textures and details, so you can enjoy exactly what the artist hears. With a built in microphone for hands-free calls or online chats, it’s the perfect hardware to wire up to your 3G device.

How can I win?

Any mobiles.co.uk customer, who purchases a HTC contract handset between 19th January – 16th February 2012, is automatically entered into this fantastic giveaway. For your chance to win visit our HTC competition page. Remember to enter by midnight 16th February 2012 if you wish to qualify for our draw.

For full terms and conditions, please check on our HTC competition page.

We also offer the HTC Flyer Wi-Fi as a free gift with many of our contracts. Alternatively, 3G or Wi-Fi versions of the HTC Flyer can also be bought as standalone products. Don’t forget to tell your friends on Facebook about this amazing giveaway. Good Luck!

Apple iPhone 5 : Round up of 2012’s biggest release

2012-01-20T13:15:52+00:00

It’s been a while since we’ve posted about the Apple iPhone 5. After months of anticipation and excitement across 2011, we were presented the iPhone 4S; an upgrade of the Apple iPhone 4 with more muscle inside its A5 processor chip and more knowledge through personal assistant Siri. Even though the upgrades were necessary, Apple fans couldn’t help but feel slightly disheartened. We love it when Apple releases something completely new that “Changes everything. Again”. With leading brands releasing the Samsung Galaxy S3, Sony Xperia S & the Nokia Lumia 900, 2012 is the year for Apple to step up and release the true next generation smartphone: The Apple iPhone 5.

As all our old blogs relate to the 4S, we thought it was time to blow away the cobwebs, delve deep into the rumour mill and bring you the latest designs, specifications and more on everything iPhone 5.

New design – Apple iPhone 5

A new design is possibly the most anticipated feature expected for the iPhone 5. The iPhone 4 and 4s have stylish designs but all fashions change with time. iPhone enthusiasts want to own something that looks new, fresh and distinctly different from past iPhone models. One feature that would separate the Apple iPhone 5 from its range is a new screen size. It’s a quick win for Apple as their standard 3.5 inch display is towered by the Samsung Galaxy S2’s 4.3 inch screen. Would a larger screen on the iPhone affect sales of their iPad range? This could be the reason for sustaining the iPhone’s original size. Will the iPhone 5 have a new shape? Here’s our three favourite concept designs below..

We’re certain the iPhone 5 will host a new look design.

Apple iPhone 5 rumour rating 5/5

New Name or just iPhone 5?

The strangest rumour we’ve heard so far is that the device will be named the iPhone SJ, in memory of the late Steve Jobs. This is the last iPhone which Jobs had an input into the design and features of the device. Although it seems a fitting tribute to the icon who retransformed the fortunes of Apple with his innovation and industry changing ideas, we think there’s only a moderate chance the iPhone 5 will be named the iPhone SJ

Apple iPhone 5 rumour rating 3/5

UK release date?

One of the safest guarantees is that the iPhone 5 will in our hands by October 2012. It’s more than likely the product would also be available within 10 days of announcement. For a company that loves to throw surprises and spontaneity, is an October release date too predictable? Apple would certainly please a large fan base if they released the iPhone 5 ahead of the date cited by many blogs. The reasoning for an iPhone 5 release towards the end of 2012, is to allow time for the iPhone 4S to sell enough units. With Sony and Samsung releasing their next generation smartphones in the spring and summer, we believe Apple are more likely to unveil their latest addition to the family within their older June/July iPhone release date format. With Android OS racking up the largest share of users on any platform, the last thing Apple needs is to give the Galaxy S3 and Sony Xperia S a head start. We’re confident that the iPhone 5 will be released in 2012 and hoping for a summer release.

Apple iPhone 5 rumour rating 4/5

Over the following months, we’ll be posting roundups of the latest iPhone 5 news and stories as they unfold. What would you like to see in the upcoming iPhone 5? Let us know what you would like to see on our Facebook page.

Can’t wait for the iPhone 5. Then grab yourself an Apple iPhone 4 from mobiles.co.uk

Samsung Galaxy S3 : The Ultimate Roundup

2012-01-18T14:44:55+00:00

Samsung are set to officially unveil the Samsung Galaxy S3 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month. Hotly tipped to be the smartphone of 2012, we sift through the rumours and hype to establish what the Galaxy S3 will feature.
With the highly successful Galaxy range, Samsung have the world at their feet. The Samsung Galaxy S2 was crowned the bestselling smartphone in the UK for December. With sales that challenge the iPhone head on, it’s no wonder why the next instalment of the Galaxy S range is so eagerly anticipated.

Could this be the Galaxy S3?

During the international CES conference, Samsung slipped in a clip of an unknown smartphone during their official promo video. Is this the Samsung Galaxy S3? Demonstrating a thinner bezel strip around the display, the screen appears larger than the Galaxy S2 and would match the rumour of a 4.6 inch display; 0.3 inches larger than the Samsung. Whether this image is the genuine Samsung Galaxy S3 or just a fake remains to be seen. It’s certainly a clever marketing stunt for Samsung to raise the excitement bar and get the press talking on their mysterious handset.

Snap it up with the S3

Circulating rumours suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S3 will come equipped with a 12 megapixel camera. With key 2012 releases such as the Sony Xperia S already confirmed to have a resolution of this scale, it’s more than likely that Samsung will want to build upon the Galaxy S2’s 8 megapixel camera with their next generation release. With Apple also expected to upgrade their 8 megapixel camera with the release of the iPhone 5, Samsung have a great opportunity to steal exposure from Apple’s future handset by offering the technology sooner and stealing the wow factor from under their rivals noses.

Hungry for Ice Cream Sandwich? The S3 is.

It’s a dead cert the Galaxy S3 will come pre-loaded with the tasty new addition to the Android family. With a refined and evolved user interface, Ice Cream Sandwich is even more efficient for multitasking. This is great news for the Samsung Galaxy S3, which is rumoured to house a 1.8 GHz dual core processor which would storm through high end games and applications without breaking a sweat.

Galaxy S3 release date?

Following the World Mobile Congress in February, it’s highly likely that the Samsung Galaxy S3 will grace the UK shops within weeks of its announcement. Demand will be high, so make sure you don’t miss out on what is expected to be the top selling handset of 2012. We’ll be tracking the latest announcements on the Samsung Galaxy S3 as they happen. So check back for specific details as we get them through.

Watch this space on how you can pre-order from mobiles.co.uk.

PS Vita to challenge the apps games

2012-01-13T09:38:54+00:00

Welcome back to part 2 of our apps games review. In part 1 we explained the rise of the apps.This time around we explore what the major games consoles are doing to take on the apps games and mention the upcoming release of the PS Vita.

If you can’t beat them…

The leading console brands clearly want a piece of the action, chasing the new revenue available from distributing game apps on iOS, Android and Windows Phone platforms. The latest Sony products such as the Sony Xperia S or Sony Tablet S are PlayStation Certified meaning you can download a range of classic PlayStation titles straight to your phone. Xbox have taken a similar approach offering the Xbox Live Arcade across Android and iOS, with additional features available for those who use the latest Windows Phone Mango. Nintendo currently don’t offer their titles as game apps. With strong branded characters such as Mario and Donkey Kong, maybe keeping these exclusive to Nintendo hardware is what keeps fans coming back for more.

PS Vita released in UK 22/02/2012

For those who still crave a portable gaming device, the PlayStation Vita is released in the UK on the 22nd February with 11 games. Armed with a Quad-Core processor, the PS Vita promises to bring PS3 quality gaming to a portable console. The top model boasts Wi-Fi + 3G access which is perfect for online gaming against your rivals or downloading the latest title from the PlayStation Store. The rear touch pads help interact with games in three dimensional motions such as touching, grabbing, pulling and pushing without obstructing the OLED screen. Overall, this product promises to push the boundaries of portable gaming once again.

Will the PS Vita reverse the trend of game apps? The heads at Sony realise the challenge they face against the smartphone as their Marketing team plans their “biggest campaign ever” for the PS Vita. With so many smartphone devices activated daily, PlayStation are unlikely to ever recapture their share of the portable games market of 2009. To place it in perspective, 6.68 million Nintendo 3DS’s were sold globally in the first 6 months of release. 0.7 million Android activations take place every day!

The Future..

The technology of the PS Vita looks incredible and is unlikely to be replicated in a smartphone that is primarily for calls and texts. Because a mobile phone is such an essential piece of kit bought by everyone, even PS Vita owners are likely to purchase apps games for their smartphone. The casual gamer only ever wanted that quick fix of gameplay when on the bus or away from their main games console; smartphones achieve this.

Sony and Nintendo’s revenue from portable games hardware will surely shrink as smartphones continue to grow worldwide. Could this be Sony’s last dedicated games console? With such a wide range of electronic products, Sony could make their games accessible as downloads onto their BRAVIA Televisions or invest further into PlayStation Certified smartphones to win back the heart of the casual gamer. With Nintendo’s top releases appealing greatly to children, many will be too young to own a smartphone. As long as Nintendo continue to captivate hearts with the likes of Mario Kart and Pokémon, portable games consoles will continue to sell; just in smaller volumes than we’ve seen before.

The golden age may be over for now but that doesn’t mean Game Over. Sony and Nintendo have exciting products lined up and will push in directions to provide an ultimate gaming experience. Let’s hope they fork out another coin and press continue because we still want to play!

What do you think? Let us know on our Facebook page.

We also offer the Nintendo 3DS as a free gift. The perfect solution to play apps games on your smartphone and Nintendo games on the 3DS. Be sure to look out for the PS Vita on mobiles.co.uk after its UK release date of 22nd Februrary.

Apps games battle the portable console

2012-01-12T12:44:32+00:00

The rules of the game have changed. Just a few years ago, handheld consoles such as the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP ruled the roost of portable gaming. I remember in my childhood being captivated by Zelda DX and Pokémon Blue on my Game Boy Colour; back then the must-have device for gaming on the go. The birth of the app and evolution of smartphones have brought to light an increase in the quality of apps games available on your mobile phone. Not only do the likes of Android and iOS offer quick fix games such as Angry Birds, or Plants vs Zombies but fully fledged blockbusters with lengthy storylines and awe blasting 3D graphics such as GTA III and Infinity Blade II. With the next generation of smartphone releases set to run faster and blast even more power, is it game over for the portable games console?

The Problem

Statistics from Flurry Analytics suggests that portable consoles are losing their slice of the pie. In 2009, Sony PSP and Nintendo DS were recipients of 81% of total portable game software revenue in the United States. Fast forward to the end of 2011, and their share has halved to 42%. Where has it gone? Smartphone operating systems iOS and Android have leapt from a combined 19% share in 2009, to a dominating 58% in just two years.

Out of control?

Hard core gamers may criticise iOS and Android games apps for their lack of a physical game pad to control the game; often the player has to touch the screen repeatedly. Even this hindrance can be removed thanks to an Android app which allows Bluetooth synchronisation with your PS3 controller. It won’t be long before apps games have this feature coded into their official titles and smartphones steal another life from the portable games console.

Power to the smartphone!

The iPhone 4S released with a dual-core A5 chip, has given the 1UP in smartphone apps games and offers power and graphics unseen in mobile devices previously. Even consoles such as the Nintendo 3DS, which offers 3D gaming without the need for glasses, could be matched for technology. We’ve already seen the release of the LG Optimus 3D smartphone and further rumours suggest the Samsung Galaxy S3 will come with eye trickery technology to match Nintendo.

Apps Games cost less

The apps games streamlined digital approach, eliminates the need for physical manufacturers and distributers. This means cheaper games for the consumer. Combine this factor with an ultra-competitive OS platform that releases new games daily, and you create a market where £6 chart toppers are frowned upon as too expensive – effectively the price of a bargain bin Nintendo DS game in the supermarket. Why would you pay £40 for the latest handheld title when you can download entertaining apps games that all your friends have for under £3?

What does the future hold for portable gaming hardware? Visit our blog tomorrow for Part 2 of our apps games review…

Get the Nintendo 3DS as a free gift on selected contracts.

What titles currently top the Apps Games Chart?
Android | iOS | Windows Phone

Nokia Lumia 900 unveiled. UK release June?

2012-01-10T12:46:48+00:00

Unveiled officially at the CES 2012 press conference in Las Vegas, the Nokia Lumia 900 is the first smartphone in the Lumia series to enter America. Designed as the first real Windows Phone smartphone designed for the US market, the Nokia Lumia 900 offers some nice upgrades from the UK release of the Nokia Lumia 800 last quarter. Can we expect a Nokia Lumia 900 release date for the UK any time soon?

Larger Screen
The most notable change from Lumia 800 to 900 is the larger 4.3 inch AMOLED Clear Black display compared to the Lumia 800’s respectable 3.7 inches. The increase in size may raise concern over the performance and battery life of the Nokia Lumia 900; though don’t panic! Firstly the AMOLED Clear Black display offers a bright display without exhausting the battery. Encased within the Nokia Lumia 900, is an 1830 mAh battery which gives an extra 25% kick compared to its predecessor (The Nokia Lumia 800 had a 1450 mAh battery).

Front Facing Camera
The Nokia Lumia 900 also comes with a secondary camera that Lumia fans have been shouting for. Whereas the Lumia 800 lacked a front facing camera, Nokia’s latest release has a 1 megapixel camera suitable for video calls. Not only does the front facing camera have a large aperture to let in more light, its wide angle lens takes in more picture, so you can video call a friend, with another friend by your side! As with the Lumia 800, the 8 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics is still present on the rear of the handset.

Windows Phone Mango OS
Running the same Windows Phone OS as the Lumia 800, the People Hub feature seems a great tool for integrating together your favourite contacts across the wide range of platforms we all use. By linking Facebook updates, Twitter feeds, emails and texts across your chosen friends, it’s even easier to stay in touch and in the know. The People Hub even integrates Facebook chat without the need to download another app. At the CES conference, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, promised revolutionary apps on the Windows Phone Marketplace including 20 titles from games giants EA; apps not available on iOS or Android.

A UK release for the Nokia Lumia 900?
Built as a 4G LTE smartphone for high performance browsing and video and audio streaming, the UK’s online connection speed is currently too slow to utilise the Nokia Lumia 900’s performance fully. With a 4G network not expected for completion in the UK until 2015 (Ofcom), will this phone even grace our shores? A UK release of this handset would lack the advanced connectivity but a tweaked version of the Nokia Lumia 900 including a larger battery, screen and front facing camera would be welcome advancement from the Nokia Lumia 800. We hope to see a UK release around autumn 2012. The additional features are steps in the right direction to help Windows Phone OS expand and Nokia to reclaim lost ground from the likes of Apple and Samsung.

EDIT 24/01/2012 – Internet pre-order websites suggest the Nokia Lumia 900 will see a UK release date in June.

Interested in finding out more about Windows Phones?

For the latest updates, visit our Facebook page

Best apps for music lovers

2012-01-06T13:54:57+00:00

The start of a New Year naturally brings on an opportunity for self-reflection and change. Maybe you want to spend this year discovering new music? If every day you love your Kaiser Chief collection less and less, now’s a great time to blow away those audio cobwebs. 2012 is the time to use your smartphone and expand your musical horizons with a selection of our best apps for music lovers.

Shazam Encore (Android £2.99, iOS £3.99 , Windows £4.99)

You’ll often stumble across your new favourite song when you least suspect it; during an advert, on the radio, in a pub. If you’re not told who it is, how are you supposed to download and experience more music by this artist? The first of our best apps, Shazam Encore has this covered. All you have to do is hold your phone towards the speaker and Shazam will recognise the song and artist in seconds. Once you have this info, you can buy the track through Amazon, see related YouTube videos or even view the lyrics. Magical. For convenience and a rapid response, Shazam Encore is the first in our best music apps list.

Like this music app? Download Shazam from the App markets:

Android | iOS | Windows

Ghostly Discovery (Free music app for iOS)
Our music tastes can vary depending on our state of mind or mood. Ghostly Discovery will factor this in your endeavour for all things electronic. After setting the mood wheel to a colour that reflects your state of mind, hook up to your headphones and enjoy a streamed audio archive of Ghostly International and Spectral Sound catalogues. Tailor your playlist between Digital versus Organic sounds and fast versus slow pace, as you position a slider between these extremes. iTunes integration opens the possibility to download the songs you like.

Like this music app? Download Ghostly Discovery from the iTunes Stores:

iOS

TuneIn Radio (Free music app for iOS ,Android, Windows)
For radio stations beyond dance, the TuneIn Radio app offers free access to over 50,000 radio stations. Wherever you are, tune into local or global radio to find a sound to quench your ear drums. Beyond music, there are even sport and news stations available to keep you in the loop. With so much choice at hand, our best app for radio ensures you’ll never skip a beat in your quest for new music. Purchasing the TuneIn Radio Pro for under £0.70 gives you the added bonus of recording, so you can listen to your favourite clips time after time

Like this music app? Download Ghostly Discovery from the App markets:

Android | iOS | Windows

Spotify (Free music app for Android, iOS & Windows, Subscription required after trial period)
If you want instant access to over 15 million tracks you can stream online, create into playlists and share with your friends, Spotify is the ultimate music app. With a subscription fee of £10 per month, it’s legal and great value for those who find their headphones soldered to their skull. Built for social integration with Facebook and Last.fm, Spotify keeps your friends in the know of your new favourite sounds. For those after one of the best apps around, Spotify is a great choice for the ultimate music search party.

Like this music app? Download Spotify from the App markets:

Android | iOS | Windows

iAmBeatBox (Free music app for iOS)

Ok, I admit this probably hinders your quest for new music rather than help but with so much fresh music trickling into your brain, you may feel an urge of inspiration to make your own sounds. Produced by savageapps, it’s free, popular and allows you to enjoy the art of beat boxing at the swipe of a finger. Using a diamond icon, scratch your way around the screen to a plethora of samples, rhythms and beats. Simple and addictive, it makes the last entry in our best apps list.

Like this music app? Download iAmBeatBox from the iTunes Store:

iOS

So there’s our run down of our best apps for music lovers. We’d love to know which apps you use in your hunt for new music. Why not let us know on our Facebook page

Tempted by these? Get yourself a new phone from mobiles.co.uk’s music phone range.

What is a refurbished phone?

2011-12-29T13:49:46+00:00

If you fancy owning the latest technology without the burden of a premium price tag, then a refurbished phone could be the perfect solution. Despite the great savings, many people are unaware you can buy refurbished phones. What are they and what are the benefits of owning one?

What is a refurbished phone?

A refurbished phone has been returned to mobiles.co.uk by customers who change their mind within 7 days of purchase. This means all handsets have hardly been used and are barely out the box.

What are the benefits of a refurbished phone?

By purchasing a refurbished phone, you can own a handset for less than if you bought it brand new. If you’re on a strict budget, refurbished phones will give you more features, faster technology and more fun for your money. Alternatively, if you know exactly what phone you’re after, why pay more? The savings on buying a refurbished phone could be handy towards a holiday or that guitar you’ve always wanted.

How does a refurbished phone differ to new handsets?

The handset may have minor cosmetic flaws to the exterior design. All refurbished phones are fully inspected, tested and repackaged by qualified engineers so you can be sure that you will receive a fully functional phone. Due to testing, refurbished phones will arrive to you in a different box to the original. Though you will always receive the handset, battery, charger and manual, we cannot guarantee additional accessories will be included i.e. headphones.

Am I covered for faults?

A refurbished phone still comes with the 12 month manufacturer’s warranty starting from YOUR day of purchase, so you can have peace of mind your phone has identical cover to a brand new phone.

How much can I save?

A refurbished phone can often be purchased for 30% less than the price of a brand new handset.

It’s not only refurbished phones that we offer. Many of our free gifts are also available as refurbished. This allows you to receive a higher value gift on a lower monthly tariff.

See our current offers on refurbished phones

For up to date offers and the latest news, visit our Facebook page

12 Days of Christmas App for iOS users

2011-12-28T13:48:06+00:00

If you were lucky enough to receive a brand new iPhone 4S or iPad 2 in your stocking this Christmas, the latest present from the App Store is sure to whet your appetite. Created by Apple, the 12 days of Christmas App, offers exactly what it states; a free gift each day for the 12 days of Christmas.

In Apple’s words “Each download will only be available for 24 hours. Get our special 12 Days of Christmas app to make it even easier to access your gifts while you’re on the go.”

This is Apple’s fourth year to offer free content throughout the festive season and has kick started with some great freebies. On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me … an iTunes Live Coldplay E.P (A package containing three videos and music files for free!)

The gift for December 27^th, a free episode of Top Gear, was perfect for petrol heads and those after some light hearted motor entertainment. Today (December 28th) the 12 days of Christmas app offers a free download of Lady Gaga’s smash single “Marry the Night”. Rolling from December 26^th until the 6^th January, the 12 days of Christmas App is a great way to introduce your new device to the App Store with popular content into the New Year.

To see what’s available today, visit the 12 days of Christmas App page.

For all the latest Mobiles.co.uk offers visit our Facebook page.

iCloud and Facetime explained on the iPad 2

2011-12-20T16:06:11+00:00

Now available at mobiles.co.uk, the Apple iPad 2 offers some nice improvements to its 2010 predecessor. If you’re looking to get kitted out with a tablet for the New Year but are confused with the terms Facetime or iCloud, we explain their meaning and how they can enhance your tablet experience.

Apple iCloud

If you’re the type who has digital media scattered across a range of devices, then iCloud will help collate it all together. You’ll never be without your favourite music track with instant access to your media across a range of portable devices. It’s also a great timesaver as a file uploaded straight to iCloud will automatically appear on each of your synchronised devices. You can even edit documents across devices or open an iBook on the exact page you left on your iPhone. Beyond accessibility, iCloud is a back-up system for your valued files should your iPad get lost or stolen. By logging into iCloud, you can view a map to locate the whereabouts of your device and even lock or wipe the handset should it enter the wrong hands.

Facetime

With a front and rear camera built into the Apple iPad 2, Apple have found the best way to say hello to your loved ones. Facetime is great for video calling and won’t cost you data charges when connected to a Wi-Fi connection. With both cameras operable during Facetime, it’s effortless to flick between front and rear camera. This feature is great for showcasing your surroundings in high definition, yet allowing you to see their reaction as it happens. Not restricted to the iPad 2, Facetime is available on the Apple iMac, iPhone 4 or the latest iPod touch. Once you create an Apple ID you’re only a tap away from sharing a smile with those who matter most.

With prices starting at £399, the Apple iPad 2 is now available at mobiles.co.uk. Click here to see a full range of models and latest Apple iPad 2 deals.

Join our Facebook site for the latest developments in the mobile world.

GTA 3 re-release rocks the charts

2011-12-16T14:10:53+00:00

To celebrate 10 years since its release, Rockstar Games have made Grand Theft Auto 3 available on iOS and Android platforms. Back in its day, GTA 3 was the first game in the series to allow a full 3D experience as gamers could kill, steal and hijack from the inhabitants and underworld of Liberty City.

One of the most exciting features of the GTA franchise is its ability to allow full flexibility in the way you complete the game thanks to its non-linear gameplay. Take on heists and assassinations instructed by the mafia at a time that suits you; preferably in between the thrills of taking on the fuzz, SWAT teams and the army purely for the adrenaline rush of survival.

As one of the most influential games of all time, this is no standard rerelease. Now with HD quality resolution and visually stunning updated graphics, GTA 3 comes with even comes with better graphics than the original release a decade ago.

At just £2.99 in the App Store and Android Market, GTA 3 looks a dead cert to shoot its way to the top of the charts and steal the Christmas number one spot.

Panasonic smartphone to arrive March 2012

2011-12-13T14:25:52+00:00

Panasonic are back! The Japanese brand has officially announced their plan to release a Panasonic smartphone across the UK and Europe. Though limited details have been announced, we’re excited that the information unveiled so far suggests a high powered smartphone capable of challenging the Samsung Galaxy S2 and iPhone 4S.

Due for release in March 2012, the Panasonic smartphone will boast a stunning 4.3 inch OLED qHD display. Rumoured to have three navigation buttons along the bottom, it offers a similar interface to the Galaxy Nexus. Being a new release on Android, if Panasonic really want to establish themselves as smartphone innovators, expect the handset to be pre-loaded with the latest Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Panasonic’s allegiance to Android will surely boost the dominance of the Android Market further, which recently reported the preferred OS for 52% of smartphone users.

One factor which could potentially leave rival smartphone brands trailing is the camera specification. Panasonic are renowned for their premium Lumix camera range and have previously integrated this technology into a Japanese only Panasonic smartphone release (The Lumix Phone 101 P). The camera for this phone offered 13.2 megapixels, optical zoom and a real camera flash. Though it’s unlikely the new European Panasonic smartphone will be so camera orientated, let’s hope they use some of the technology to produce a great handset.

Stating the upcoming release as “dustproof and waterproof”, Panasonic have understood the need to offer durability and robustness in a high value handset. In addition to these features, images of a prototype model clearly have NFC engraved on the back which is a popular technology in Japan for sharing data and paying for goods with your smartphone.

A UK release of a Panasonic smartphone sounds exciting and should add a new dimension to an already competitive market. The official unveiling of the latest Panasonic smartphone is scheduled for the World Mobile Congress in February.

Join our Facebook page to keep informed of the latest news.

Samsung sell 300 million phones in 2011!

2011-12-12T14:27:01+00:00

Korean electronics manufacturers Samsung have reported end of year mobile phone sales of over 300 million. Comfortably beating last year’s record, Samsung have breezed past their 2010 best of 280 million units.

Part of Samsung’s success can be attributed to the Galaxy S smartphone series. Q3 of the financial year reported Samsung’s first time as the largest selling smartphone manufacturer worldwide, toppling Nokia from their throne. Both the Galaxy S and Galaxy S2, running the widely popular Android OS, are reported to have contributed significantly to the record breaking year.

In addition to the latest technology, Samsung also offer a wide range of budget handsets which all contribute to the record breaking year.

With a Samsung Galaxy S3 release anticipated as early as February 2012, Samsung look to set to steal a head start from the iPhone 5 in the battle of the next generation smartphones.

For our range of Samsung mobiles visit here.

Android Market downloads reach ten billion

2011-12-09T09:02:23+00:00

Google have announced this week that the Android Market has reached its ten billionth app download. The popularity of the Android Market appears to be expanding at a phenomenal rate as 70% of total downloads have been obtained in the last 9 months. With no signs of slowing down, it’s expected the Android Market will soon see a regular 1 billion downloads per month; a figure which took 22 months to achieve the first billion.

The success of the Android Market is largely down to the huge availability of manufacturers offering the OS on their smartphones. With 52.5% of smartphone users operating on Android, the Market is accessible to more smartphone users than any other store.

Android still have some way to go before overtaking Apple as the leading app provider. The App Store announced their 15 billionth download in July earlier this year. With no recent announcement of Apples 20 billionth download, it can be implied the Android Market is fast catching App Store and could overtake for the top spot as early as next year.

To celebrate the success of the Android Market, Google have announced they will showcase 10 different apps per day for a bargain 10 pence price tag. With classic apps such as Minecraft and Fruit Ninja already released as part of the celebrations, next week seems the perfect opportunity to get the hottest apps onto your Android smartphone or tablet device.

To find out which apps are currently 10 pence, visit the Android Market. Alternatively find out more about Android smartphones here.

Top 5 free Android apps this Christmas

2011-12-06T10:20:29+00:00

With Christmas just around the corner, we demonstrate how you can use your phone in a fun way to maximise your Christmas experience. Providing a dashing of festive fun, here’s five free Android apps to get you into the Christmas spirit:

Christmas Radio
If you wish it could be Christmas everyday then the Christmas Radio is the perfect start to our Android apps list. The free app from BluMedialab.com will always find the music to cater your Chrimbo cravings. With over 40 xmas radio stations to choose from including traditional, rock, religious and jazz, there’s a sound to get your sleigh bells ringing. There’s even a radio station broadcasting from the North Pole!

Christmas Carols
This is ideal for those who love carol singing but can’t remember the words. With a pick and mix selection of popular Christmas carols you’ll have no problem participating in the festivities. Forgotten the melody? This free app can even play you the carol, so you’ll know your Away in a Manger from your Ding Dong Merrily On High!

Christmas Trivia
Think you know the traditions of Christmas? The Christmas Trivia App offers a fun way to test your knowledge on the world’s most celebrated holiday to the max. Topics covered include food, music, decorations and history. Why not set up your own profile and challenge a friend? For being educational and informative, Christmas Trivia is accepted into our Android apps list.

Christmas Recipes
One of the highlights of Christmas is sharing quality time with loved ones over a delicious dinner. If you need help on the essential turkey or wish to expand your pallet with a festive desert, this Android app provides the time-tested recipes that’ll please any critic.

Christmas Advent Calendar 2011
Of course before you can truly enjoy Christmas, you must endure the 25 day countdown. Lighten up the anticipation with free Android apps every day before Christmas. The Christmas Advent Calendar 2011 from MagicSolver is a great way to receive a present a day.

With a range of free apps providing music, quizzes and recipes, we hope our list of top Android apps will help deliver a truly special occasion. If you’re still looking for Christmas gift ideas, we have a range of free gifts, including Android tablets, available here. If you wish to know more about Android phones check out our friendly guide.

Merry Christmas!

Rumoured Facebook Phone codenamed “Buffy”

2011-11-24T17:08:01+00:00

Rumours suggest Facebook are teaming up with Taiwanese mobile phone manufacturer HTC to release a new handset with deep Facebook interaction within its operating system. Codenamed “Buffy” after the Vampire Slayer played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a possible Facebook phone release in the next 12 to 18 months would use a modified version of Android in a similar fashion to the way Amazon recently launched the Kindle Fire.

Is a Facebook phone a viable product that would interest social media addicts? Creations such as the HTC ChaCha and the AT&T HTC Status already have their own dedicated Facebook button, allowing a user to post status updates and share multimedia content straight to their wall. Despite the innovation these mobile phones barely registered a poke against its smartphone competitors.

Such a creation may be the result of Google phones pushing their Google Plus social network and the favouritism of Twitter integration within the latest iPad updates. As neither Facebook nor HTC prefer to comment directly upon these rumours they released the following statement: “Our mobile strategy is simple: we think every mobile device is better if it is deeply social. We’re working across the entire mobile industry; with operators, hardware manufacturers, OS providers, and application developers to bring powerful social experiences to more people around the world.”

Whether project “Buffy” turns out to be true or just a spin on the rumour mill, it seems certain Facebook are looking to continually progress their accessibility for mobile users worldwide.

Free tablet PCs with contract mobile phones

2011-11-15T10:43:31+00:00

You can now get a free tablet pc with a contract mobile phone in the UK. To be more competitive, many phone shops have been giving away free gifts when you buy a new contract mobile for years. The popularity of the tablet pc means they’re now offering these for free as well.

There’s a wide choice of free tablet PCs to choose one. The Apple iPad 2 is probably the most popular one at the moment, and is available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB storage size. BlackBerry also has it’s own tablet offering, the Black Berry Playbook. If on the other hand you’re looking for tablets that run the Android operating system, you can get the Motorola Xoom, LG Optimus, Samsung Galaxy Tab, HTC Flyer and a few others. All of them allow you to browse the web, watch videos, read e-books, listen to music, run apps, play games and much more. The main difference between the tablets is their screen size, memory, processor and operating system.

You can look for the best free tablet + mobile phone deals at www.mobilephoneswithfreetablets.co.uk. This website shows all the contract mobile offers available with the free tablet of your choice. You can select the phone you like or just search by contract requirements (e.g. free minutes and texts) to find the deal that’s best for you. It’s worth noting though the you’ll get the cheapest deals when you select a mobile phone that has been released for a while, and not one that is top of the range.

Within the tablet you can select for free, you’ll also have to select how much storage space you prefer. Obviously, more space will mean a slightly more expensive deal. If you’re mainly going to browse the internet, than you’re fine with 16GB or the lowest space. If you want to use your tablet to listen to music, view photos, watch and record videos, than you’re likely to need more space. Another key choice is whether to go for the Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + 3G free tablet model. Tablets with Wi-Fi + 3G functionality let you connect to the Internet via any WiFi connection as well as via a 3G mobile network. Please note though that a lot of the latest smartphones will allow you to share their 3G connection with your tablet via WiFi or bluetooth, allowing you to still connect a Wi-Fi only tab to 3G.

Contract deals are currently available on all UK networks: Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone, O2 and 3, while the range of tablets available as a free gift grows every week. These deals are definitely great value, whether you want a Motorola, Apple, HTC, BlackBerry or LG tablet pc yourself or want to buy one as a gift for someone else.

No Siri for the Apple iPhone 4

2011-11-11T13:52:27+00:00

Some of you Apple iPhone fans with older models that haven’t managed to be able to bag yourself a new iPhone 4S may be disappointed. An unofficial statement was leaked from Apple’s engineering division today regarding the new personal assistant software, Siri.

It looks as though there’s a strong possibility that Siri will only work on iPhone 4S with no plans to support the older generations. Now there are rumours that this could possibly be a sales and marketing strategy to keep the sales for the iPhone 4S high due to the significant drop in price for the iPhone 4. There are hackers out there though, trying their very best to port Siri over to the older devices and if they are successful, then this could prove the latter rather than it being down to technical deficit.

In the meantime though, for those of you that are looking for the new iPhone 4S, here at Mobiles.co.uk we now have it back IN STOCK.

We have some great deals at the moment with the iPhone 4S 16GB free at £36 per month from Vodafone on a 24 month contract term.
Just order your iPhone 4S before 4pm Monday to Friday and you’ll receive it the next day.

Nokia Lumia 800: Return of the king

2011-11-02T11:01:47+00:00

So, Nokia are nowhere in the high end smartphone business having tried and failed to topple the all conquering iPhone and a slew of Android juggernauts. From the Nokia N8 to the recently released E7, the hardware has been up there with the best of them but the operating system, namely Symbian, has always been lacking. Well, at Nokia World last week, Nokia at long last announced the handset that will sport an OS to match the beautiful hardware; the Windows Phone 7 powered Nokia Lumia 800.

Taking design queues from the Nokia N9 (which sadly didn’t get a UK launch), the Lumia has a seamless one piece body and and 3.7” curved touchscreen. Not just stunning to look at, the one piece design also aids durability giving the Lumia and reliable and solid feel; this is a phone built to last. On to the touchscreen, at 3.7” it’s marginally bigger than the iPhone 4S and features eqaully impressive quality and clarity thanks to the Clear Black AMOLED technology.

On the inside, the Nokia Lumia 800 is running the latest version of Microsoft’s mobile OS; Windows Phone 7.5 (or Mango) and powered by a scorching 1.4GHz processor. The aforementioned OS brings new features such as multi-tasking and copy and paste whilst the processor ensures said multi-tasking is snappy, fluent and effortless. On to apps and you’ll be pleased to know, as the fastest growing app store of any mobile OS, you should find plenty of great titles to keep you entertained on the move.

Keeping in tune with Nokia’s strong heritage in camera phone technology, the Lumia 800 boasts an 8.0 Megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss Optics, autofocus and a dual-LED flash all coming together to ensure the 800 takes stunning photos. On the video front the Lumia captures in 720p HD and deep integration with your favourite social networks (thanks to Windows Phone 7) means that uploading your pics and movies is a breeze.

Want more? How about Wi-Fi, 16GB internal memory, 512MB RAM, Bluetooth, GPS, SatNav with free turn-by-turn navigation(a first for Windows Phone 7) and acess to a suite of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel and Outlook. In short, this is the Nokia phone we’ve been crying out for for the past 2 years.

Available to pre-order now, the Nokia Lumia 800 is launching on the 16th of November. Free from £25 per month, pre-order yours now!

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

2011-10-26T09:43:58+00:00

Google have finally announced their latest Android smartphone and have made the awesome decision to allow Samsung to manufacture the Google phone. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus wont disappoint you if you were previously upset about the Nexus which was created by HTC.

The distinct advantage of owning a Galaxy S over any of the other Samsung Galaxy mobile phones is that this is the first smartphone to offer Ice Cream Sandwich (The latest Android software) which is the successor of Gingerbread. A nice new feature is the unlocking mode where you can actually unlock your phone is using face recognition and voice typing is also available which is very similar to iPhone’s Siri.

Although the mobile phone looks quite compact in the photo above dont be fooled, the 4.65-inch display makes the Galaxy Nexus almost as large as the HTC Sensation XL however this is made up in thinness at only 7mm compared to the iPhone 4′s 9.3 mm and the Nexus is also 5g lighter than the Apple iPhone 4 weighing at only 135g.

If we are comparing the Galaxy Nexus to the iPhone then we will have to point out that the camera is only 5 megapixel compared to 8 megapixel cameras found in the Samsung Galaxy S2 and iPhone 4. Overall the new android mobile has its advantages over other smartphones such as the brand new software it runs on and its super AMOLED HD display which will be a significant upgrade from the Nexus S.

iPhone 4S out today!

2011-10-14T14:34:10+00:00

Apple and other retailers watched in delight as thousands queued this morning to get their hands on the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4S has reported to of attracted the longest ever queue for an Apple product at 778 people. Many people queuing were due to missing out on pre-ordering with their chosen network. Despite this, Apple have reported that the iPhone 4S broke the record previously held by the iPhone 4 for pre-orders. Approximately, One million pre-orders were taken for the iPhone 4S in the first 24 hours of launching and around three million of the shiny new handsets are expected to sell over the course of the weekend.

The most popular variant pre-ordered and purchased has been the iPhone 4S 16GB white which is free from £41 per month on Vodafone. The most popular feature seems to be the newly introduced 8MP camera which now matches other handsets such as the Samsung Galaxy S II. The next new introduction which fans are thrilled about is Siri, the new voice assistant. Siri enables iPhone 4S users to send messages, make calls and place diary entries by voice control.

Some Apple stores have reported to be completely out of stock and you could be waiting 1-2 weeks before they will be getting any more. Mobiles.co.uk however still has iPhone 4S stock remaining! To receive your iPhone 4S with next day delivery just order before 4pm and make sure you use royal mail. Even if you order your phone over the weekend you’ll still receive your shiny new phone on Monday. Why wait in the cold queuing for hours, order with Mobiles.co.uk today to secure your iPhone 4S!

Mobiles.co.uk collects the award for “Best Online Retailer” at the uSwitch Mobile Awards 2011

2011-10-12T14:41:37+00:00

Dedicated to celebrating the best of the mobile phone market, uSwitch polled the nation in their Mobile Awards Survey and enlisted the help of some of the mobile industry’s top names to form the Mobile Awards Judging Panel. And we saw some great success for both Mobiles.co.uk and Carphone Warehouse awarded:

Best Online Retailer: Mobiles.co.uk
Best Highstreet Retailer: Carphone Warehouse

In the ‘Best Online Retailer’, the judges noted: “The Mobiles.co.uk website is easy to use, offers an incredibly large range of exclusive contract deals on all the latest phones – and a fantastic selection of affordable SIM only offers and pay as you go handsets.”

Referring to ‘Best Highstreet Retailer’ category, the judges commented: “With a great selection of handsets and tariffs, knowledgeable and impartial staff, and a range of time exclusive deals, Carphone Warehouse stole the march on its high street rivals on several occasions in 2011.

Nexus Prime and Ice Cream Sandwich round up.

2011-10-11T16:13:40+00:00

Google announced that they were working on a replacement to the Nexus S last May with subsequent leaks revealing the phone will be called the Nexus Prime. Like the Nexus S it’s expected that the newest phone from Google and Samsung will be running a previously unreleased version of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Let’s have a look at what we can expect from the handset.

Firstly the name, this was leaked accidently by Samsung when references to the handset were found in a list of settings on their website. The name hasn’t actually been confirmed by either Google or Samsung so this could just be a code name whilst the phone is being developed. We were expecting to see the handset revealed at the Samsung Unpacked event however this was delayed in a gesture to Steve Jobs who passed away last week.

That’s as concrete as the rumours get so from here on in were basing this article on unfounded rumours and guess work. We imagine that the Nexus prime will be based largely on the ever popular Samsung Galaxy S II, as a result you can expect Dual Core processor (Maybe as powerful as 1.5GHz according to the latest rumours). An 8 mega pixel which in turn unlock full 1080p video capture. An improved screen wouldn’t be beyond the realms of reason so it could be one of the first phones to offer 720p resolution display. The place to be at the moment in terms of screen size is around 4″ which we imagine is going to be needed to get a high resolution display. We haven’t seen any leaked images on how the phone will look but the Nexus S is one of the nicest handsets on the market and we imagine the Nexus Prime won’t let down Google’s portfolio.

Ice Cream Sandwich will be the latest version of Androids operating system, with most handsets now running Gingerbread 2.3 and tablets running Honeycomb 3.x it’s starting to get a bit tricky keeping up to date with the latest versions. Google are going to make this simple for us by creating an OS that runs on all devices and this is going to be Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0. As far as we know at the moment there aren’t going to be any new features but we’ll know for sure once the Nexus Prime hits the market place.

Smarten Up: Operating Systems & Choice

2011-10-10T11:31:09+00:00

We find ourselves at a crossroads, dear readers: a crossroads where we are forced to choose an operating system first and foremost, and (for the first time in Mobile Phone history) a manufacturer second. It used to be that we could all just go out and buy a Nokia 6310, and know that we had made the right choice. Unfortunately with the sad demise of the 6310 in 2005, we’re all in a sticky situation.

We firmly believe that choice is excellent. That choice allows us to express our own individuality, to exercise self-determination, and to have the freedom to play Angry Birds on whatever mobile operating system we choose!

Now, choice is all well and good in theory – but in practice it means we have to make decisions – and as humans, we’ve a long and embarrassing history of making the wrong decisions time and again. As evidence, I would like to present for your consideration:

• Flared trousers
• Mixing comb-overs with cabriolets…
• Windows Mobile (and the fact that people bought them and pretended it was OK that they never worked properly)
• I could go on, but you get the idea…

So we at Mobiles.co.uk have decided that in order to avoid any further embarrassment, we should provide you with as much information as possible concerning the big four mobile phone operating systems – Android , BlackBerry , iOS (on the iPhone ), and Windows Phone 7 (which promises to be at least 4000% better than Windows Mobile by virtue of the fact that it works).

Check out our Smarten Up pages on the website, and let us know either via Facebook or in the comments below what you’d like to know that we haven’t yet covered.

Do you want to know what all the fuss is about the Apple iPhone 5 (or will it be a 4s)? Are you deliberating over whether to buy an Android Honeycomb device or wait for an Ice Cream Sandwich? Do you struggle with what the difference between BlackBerry messenger and bog standard IM is (honestly… not a lot)?

Whatever your question, we’re here to help.

It’s our mission to rid the world of poor decision-making and we’re starting with Smartphones …

iPhone 4s – available on pre-order TODAY!!

2011-10-07T11:28:16+00:00

Yes folks, that’s right – as of today, you’ll be able to pre-order the iPhone 4S. We imagine right now that there are thousands of Apple fans trying to get their orders placed for the newest addition to iOS family. We’ve all seen the huge waiting lines that circle around apple stores on release day, if you don’t consider camping out all night in the pouring rain and suffering from sleep deprivation as fun then you probably should consider pre-ordering your iPhone 4S soon. But it’s ok there’s a third option that doesn’t require you to wait in any sort of queue.

Apple are allowing pre-orders on their site but the starting price might be a bit high at £499.00. If you’re looking for a lower cost but with a contract we’re working FURIOUSLY to make the 16GB iPhone 4S in both black and white available to you to pre order ASAP. We’ll have the option hopefully by this afternoon which co-insides nicely with our Birthday Celebrations. As a billy bonus, if you get your order in with us today (the last official day of our birthday week), you’ll be able to get £16 cashback if you order between 16:00 and 16:16 this afternoon!! That’s the best offer we think you’ll find on-line for the 4S.

Be one of the first to lay your hands on the only phone you can have a conversation with: “Suri - remind me to trade in my old iPhone at Mobiles.co.uk“…

Click here for updates.

Apple iPhone 4S specs revealed.

2011-10-06T10:49:31+00:00

So it finally came the big day everybody was waiting for apple finally told the world what to expect from iPhone.

On Tuesday apple announced at 6pm UK time the newest addition to the iPhone family the iPhone 4S. We’ve been providing regular updates here based on the rumours over the last 12 months since the original iPhone 4 was released in June last year. After the apple event we can admit that many of the guesses were way off the mark.

iPhone 4S Design

Over the last few months we’ve reported many stories that apple’s newest iPhone was going to change significantly in design. We were expecting rounded glass and a return to the curved back. In fact we actually received the exact same phone dimensions of the iPhone 4. as a result the screen size hasn’t increased and it turns out the majority of the rumours was just that. Why did apple keep the same style? We’ll the name says it all, the iPhone 4S is simply an improved version of its current model. This is exactly the same approach Apple took with the 3G and 3GS. It makes commercial sense, this way apple gets two years of maximising on the accessories built to fit the exact shape of the iPhone 4 and production costs are kept lower as only minor changes are required to fit in all the new upgrades. We could now be looking at apples phone strategy for the next ten years with a major upgrade only coming every 2 years. (Great news for those who like to get 2 year contracts).

iPhone 4S Spec

The two big changes that we did get were the A5 chip which comes directly out of the iPad 2 and offers dual core technology, this effectively doubles the speed of the iPhone 4S VS the iPhone 4. Apple has also improved the graphics processor with a significant improvement to gaming graphics. The other big upgrade is the camera. An 8mp sensor is now in place which offers full 1080p video. The lens has also been rebuilt giving you an aperture of f/2.4 allowing for better pictures in low light and greater depth perception in the 2D images. The improvement on the camera lens was unexpected, however most rumours were expecting the camera and processor upgrade which places the iPhone in a position to contend with the Android power houses such as the Samsung Galaxy S II and HTC Sensation on a hardware level. We didn’t see a larger screen or any changes to the button layout which some of the more hopeful rumours were insinuating.

iPhone 4S Software

The surprise really came in the form of Siri, the voice activated software that we be exclusively reserved for iPhone 4S owners. Imagine having a PA who carried your phone, ask Siri to do something and she obediently performs the task in question. Want to be reminded to get a pint of milk when you drive past your local supermarket, ask Siri to set a reminder and your phone will alert you thanks to a nifty bit of GPS wizardry when you approach the local store. This is kind of difficult to illustrate the potential in words so take a look at the below video to see for yourself.

Although there aren’t any world changing enhancements to the iPhone line, what apple have done (Which they do best) is consider how you use your iPhone and improved the features that will mostly affect your experience and that’s what apple really care about. Making sure the products they supply offer you a seamless experience that actually benefits your day to day life.

The iPhone 4S should be available for pre at mobiles on the 11th of October and on general sale from the 14th October. Any update on the iPhone 5 Rumours will be available right here

Mobiles.co.uk’s Sweet 16th Birthday

2011-10-03T15:28:37+00:00

It’s Mobiles.co.uk’s sweet 16th Birthday this week and to celebrate we are giving customers a present on us, an extra £16.00 automatic cashback when they place an order with us at 16.00 for 16 minutes on the 7th October, giving them even better value!

Mobiles.co.uk was launched in 1995 and was the first UK website to sell mobile phones 16 years ago, the first to offer free gifts with your phone and the first to realise customers don’t want to wait for their free gift – they want it now, making them the first mobile phone company to send your free gift at the same time as your mobile phone!

During our birthday week why not sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest mobile news, offers and giveaways and be entered into our birthday prize draw for the opportunity to win a free gift of your choice from a long list of fantastic gadgets including a 32 inch Toshiba HDTV, HP Netbook, PlayStation 3 slim, HTC Flyer, BlackBerry Torch 9800 and a Nintendo 3DS to name just a few!

Head over to Facebook where we will be giving away a birthday cake to one lucky follower every day until the 7th October.Simply follow us, answer a question and wait to see if you’re a winner! Following mobiles.co.uk on Facebook and Twitter gives you the chance to get exclusive offers, prizes and be the first to hear of all our competitions and best deals.

And don’t forget to check out our birthday page here and join in on the fun!

Android in a nutshell

2011-09-30T09:10:53+00:00

Google Android. That little green robot has been propping up everywhere recently but what’s it all about and why is it the fastest growing smartphone operating system in the market right now?

Simply put Android is an operating system for smartphones (and now tablet PC’s) developed by Google in 2008 as the answer to the continued dominance of Apple’s award winning iPhone. It didnt quite work out that way initially but nowadays Android is the word on everyones lips with many smartphone manufacturers from HTC and Samsung turning to Google’s product to run their latest phones.

The Samsung Galaxy S II, HTC Desire HD, Sony Ericsson Xperia Play have all been big handsets in the last several months and all of them have shipped with varying updates of the Android operating system (we’ve had versions ranging from Cupcake all the way through to Ice Cream Sandwich so far – we’re thinking someone at Google has a sweet tooth!)
But there’s more than just the cute names and funny robot – Android OS can run multiple applications at the same time, whether in built apps or those from Android Market. Listen to music whilst browsing the internet, play a game whilst also on facebook, mutli-tasting is effortless on Android and with the introduction of new dual-core handsets like the Galaxy S II, this is only set to get easier.

Talking on the Android Marketplace – Googles apps store now boasts over 250,000 3rd party applications ready to download to your phone and improve your mobile phone experience. From the hugely popular Angry Birds puzzle game (they’re angry over evil green pigs stealing their eggs apparently) to apps like Shazam which identifies a song on the radio for you – Android have catered for all smarpthone needs – entertainment, productivity, Utility and communication. And that’s not even mentioning all the built in apps like Facebook, Twitter and Google Maps.

But it’s not just Google Maps – one of Android’s biggest selling points is it’s full Google integration including Gmail, Google Talk,, YouTube, Google Calendar, and Google Search. Oh and not to forget Google Goggles!

So that’s it – Android in a nutshell. There’s plenty more features of the little green robot but we won’t ruin the fun of finding them out for yourself. But if you are after more information be sure to check out our new Android OS page as part of our ‘Smarten up’ campaign or check out all our latest Android phones here.

Apple: “let’s talk iPhone” World: “About time!”

2011-09-28T09:01:09+00:00

Ever since the iPhone 4 first hit shelves last Summer, questions, rumours, theories and more have been circlating concerning what Apple had planned for its successor. Will it have a bigger screen? NFC? 3D tech on board? Will it be called the iPhone 5 to mirror the world beating features or will it carry a 4S moniker to match a more incremental spec bump (akin to Ipad vs. iPad 2)? All these questions and more have been on the tip of consumers tongues for over a year and all look set to be answered on Tuesday 4th of October with Apple’s announcement that they will be holding a press conference in less than a week with the non too cryptic tag line of “Let’s Talk iPhone”.

Exciting stuff indeed. So what will the Cupertino outfit unveil on Tuesday to match the already announced (and already impressive) iOS5? Well, in short,we don’t know. But, you can bet your house on us being on hand to cover the press conference in full, live as it unfolds, to bring you all the details. What we do know is that the competitive landscape for smartphones has certainly stepped up a notch since the iPhone 4’s debut back in June. Android’s finest wares – namely the Samsung Galaxy S II and HTC Sensation – give the iPhone 4 a real run for its money and in many cases out-punch and out-gun their fruit baring rival. If Apple want to regain their position at the top of the smartphone pile, the iPhone 5/4S will have its work cut out. Based on previoius experience, we wouldn’t bet against them.

So Apple, want to talk iPhone? The world’s listening. Sign up for the next generation iPhone news here

Meizu to produce first Quad Core Android Mobile

2011-09-28T08:25:25+00:00

Handsets such as the Samsung Galaxy S2, HTC Sensation and Apple Iphone demonstrate the capabilities of the devices now common place in our market but the cores just keep on coming with news emerging that Meizu are set to release the worlds first quad core mobile handset from the end of September.

There is not a great deal of details available at this time regarding the device and it is rumoured unlikely to reach the UK, however it still represents another landmark in the mobile handset market. Information that has been obtained states that under the hood it is likely to be running with the A9 quad core processor, boast 32 GB of internal storage, a 4.3 inch screen and hopefully a few more surprises. It is rumoured to be running on google’ android operating system and I am sure a lot more information will become available when the device finally gets into customers hands. We will as always keep you posted for further updates and if mobiles.co.uk receives any stock.

HTC Sensation XE – The First Hip Hop Smartphone with Beat’s Audio™

2011-09-27T08:38:35+00:00

The brand new HTC Sensation XE has been announced by innovative Taiwanese manufacturer since striking a $300 million deal with Beats Electronics™ (a joint venture between hip hop rapper Dre and Interscope chief) HTC have improved one of their latest super-multimedia smartphones : the original HTC Sensation and have engineered the mobile to deliver an extraordinary sound experience - ”just like the artist intended” with Beat’s Audio™ integrated.

The new XE sports a red trim compared to the original HTC Sensation and a beats audio badge on the reverse. The android smartphone is powered by a 1.5Ghz dual core processor and has the same size screen as the original Sensation with a 4.3″ display touchscreen however the battery is larger (1750mAh) to accommodate the audio capabilities. The custom beats audio headphones allow you to shuffle through music tracks with the remote, HTC have also integrated a sound profile which comes to life when these special head phones are plugged into the mobile.

Current HTC Sensation users wont be chucking their mobiles in the bin for the new XE unless they are from the west coast or just hardcore dr dre fans but HTC have caught another gap in the market signing with beats audio which makes you question whether you would rather chuck your cheap ipod in the bin instead and experience “sensational” sound from your new smartphone.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S – The New, Faster Xperia Arc

2011-09-26T10:07:14+00:00

Sony Ericsson launched a smartphone in October and called it the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc and now they have improved this brilliant Xperia mobile and released the new Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S, Judging from most performance cars we can safely assume the letter “S” means faster a bit like the porsche turbo S being faster then the porsche turbo, it turns out we were correct and the new Arc S is pumped with a 1.4 Ghz processor compared to its predecessor which clocked at 1Ghz.

The Xperia Arc S has a 2d to 3d converter which lets you take photos and use ” 3d sweep panorama” application to display 2d photos in 3d if you plug it into a 3d tv or any other 3d display using a hdmi port. Sony Ericsson have maintained the reliable operating software for the Arc S which runs on Android OS gingerbread 2.3 and sustains all the hardware features the original Arc did including ultra thinness at 8.7mm. The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S is available in an array of colours : pure white, gloss black, misty silver, sakura pink and midnight blue.

So what does this mean for current sony ericsson xperia arc ?

Cheaper deals? yes ! you can now get the sony ericsson xperia arc free on a 12 month contract, (yes they still exist and are growing fast) for £30 a month plus 6 months free line rental by redemption. If you are weary of free line rental deals then take a good read of our new cashback page which actually has a cashback calculator where you can find out everything you need to know about claiming back without having the make any phone calls or send any emails to verify details.

If you want the Xperia Arc now then take a look at the cheap deals available on o2, orange, vodafone, talkmobile, 3 and Tmobile here alternatively check back and find the Arc S very soon

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc price crash!

2011-09-23T08:41:05+00:00

With the smartphone market moving so quickly, manufacturers have, at best, 1 month at the top of the pile before their flagship launch is superceded with the next big thing. Bad news for the manufacturers? Perhaps. Good news for consumers? Definitely.

Case in point; the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc. Released back in April, still incredibly competitive in terms of spec and still arguably one of the best looking smartphones on the market right now. Just 6 short months have passed since the Xperia Arc first hit our virtual shelves and Sony’s best Android offering has now had its price slashed and can be picked up for a fraction of the original cost.

The Xperia Arc is a stunning specimen. 4.2 inch LCD touchscreen display employing Sony’s mobile Bravia engine to bring the best out of your videos and photos. Check. 8 Megapixel camera with Sony’s Exmor digital camer technology on board. Check. Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) powered by a stunning 1GHz processor. Check and mate. And that’s just for starters.

The Xperia Arc truly is a multimedia monster with the aforementioned camera capable of HD video capture and an HDMI port letting you enjoy your masterpiece on the big screen. Elsewhere the Xperia Arc features all the trimmings ubiquitous with the latest smartphones; Wi-Fi, HSDPA, GPS (with Google Maps’ free turn-by-turn sat nav solution) and all packed in a stunning form factor with head turning looks and a barely there 8.7mm thickness.

Available on a range of incredible deals across 12, 18 and 24 month contracts (Click here to take a look), whatever you’re after you should find it available on the Silver Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc.

sim free mobile phones – Freedom and Flexibility!

2011-09-22T10:59:51+00:00

Many mobile users have got their handset free of charge as part of a pay monthly contract. This can keep them tied to the same deal for up to two years and whilst it may be tempting it is certainly not for everyone. Other people get pay as you go mobiles direct from a network and these suffer from a similar problem in that you will not be able to change providers without going through unlocking-based hassle. This is why sim free mobile phones are the only solution for anyone who wants true freedom of choice and network independence.

Sim free phones are available to everyone and you will be buying the handset outright, so there is no need to pay off its costs over a lengthy contract. Sim free mobiles are also never tied down to a specific provider. As such you can pop in any sim card and start using the service almost immediately.

You will need to pair sim free phones with sim only deals. These involve the network of your choice sending you nothing more than a tiny sim card which you can then insert into your sim free handset and start enjoying whatever benefits that are featured in the tariff of your choice. Sim only deals are available on both pay as you go and pay monthly-style tariffs, but the biggest bonus is you can cancel at any time as the pay monthly deals will have a 30 day rolling contract. These deals are usually much cheaper than equivalent offers which include a free mobile and a fixed term contract, so you save money in the long run.

Many different models are available as sim free mobiles which includes not only high end smartphones but mid range handsets like the HTC Desire or budget options like the Samsung Tocco Lite. Here the upfront payments will be much lower than if you are opting for a cutting edge device and you can still enjoy all of the freedom you would expect from a sim only deal.

There are also many deals for sim free tablet PCs which take advantage of your home wireless, public networks or tethering with your Smartphone to go online. Great sim free deals on tablet PCs include the HTC Flyer and Motorola Xoom.

Vodafone and O2 offer free wifi hotspot using your mobile phone.

2011-09-21T12:07:26+00:00

Using your phone as a wifi hoptspot to connect your laptop or tablet to the internet is also known as Data Tethering which is now included on all data enabled O2 and Vodafone tariffs.

If you purchase a new contract mobile phone from Mobiles.co.uk and it’s connected to either the O2 or Vodafone network then you will be entitled to use you inclusive mobile data to set up a mobile wifi hotspot!

Using your mobile phone as a modem has become ever popular in recent years and it is a great way to keep you connected while on the move. You can sync most devices via Bluetooth or a standard USB cable however the majority of smart phones today allow you to connect via wifi making it really simple to get on-line. Once connected you can use your laptop wherever you get mobile signal to browse the web, download e-mails, Skype or watch YouTube.

The best part is that you don’t pay any additional monthly charges and any data consumed comes out of your already allocated monthly allowance. O2 spouted an interesting fact stating that 70% of all new O2 customers select a smartphone when taking a new contract. All of these consumers will undoubtedly be enjoying internet on the move so clearly O2 have stood up and taken note of their users requirements to use their data allowances ever more flexibly. It is yet to be seen how many people will begin tethering as a result but as I am sure you’ll agree, it’s nice to know that you can.

Vodafone users will also be happy with the news that their network no longer differentiates between device only and mobile wifi hotspot data consumption. However Vodafone do urge their customers to take note of the fact that tethering will see the average user burn through their data more quickly than one would via standard usage. Take a look at the below video to see how simple it is to tether from an Android handset.

Data tariffs are available on O2 from as little as £13.50 monthly and Vodafone’s data offerings begin from just £15.50.

Pre-Order BlackBerry Curve 9360 now.

2011-09-20T13:32:22+00:00

BlackBerry has announced its newest additions to its budget range with the BlackBerry Curve 9360, the obvious choice for those with a slightly worn out Curve 9300 or 8520.

The BlackBerry Curve 9360 is in keeping with the Curve range with a QWERTY keyboard and touch sensitive optical trackpad. It features a 2.44 inch, a 5 mega pixel camera with geo-tagging, an 800MHz processor, 512 MB of storage (up to 32GB with a micro SD card) and 512MB RAM. The Blackberry 9360 fulfils all of your social needs with the latest version of BBM, facebook and twitter feeds included and the ability to send and receive emails instantly so you’ll never miss out.

The BlackBerry 9360 runs on the all new BlackBerry OS 7.0 which gives you a smoother scrolling and browsing experience. It has a voice-activated search which allows you to search for music, contacts and more! The device is NFC-enabled (Near Field Communication), opening a whole new world of connectivity. NFC allows you to make a payment straight from your mobile, which is great if you’ve left your wallet at home.

The BlackBerry 9360 may not have the specs to compete with BlackBerry’s high end handsets such as the 9900 or Torch 9860, but that’s not to say it’s not an impressive phone. The BlackBerry Curve 9360 is now available to pre-order on Vodafone and it’s free from only £20.50 p/m.

Smarten up, get to know your smartphone. First up iOS

2011-09-19T13:35:50+00:00

Do you need to get to know your smartphone? Do you find yourself not knowing anything about it and feel embarrassed when your friends sit and chat for hours about their favourity apps whilst you sit in silence because you only use your iphone for calls ,texts and angry birds? It’s ok friend, mobiles.co.uk is here to save you and give you a good lesson in “getting to know your smartphone” with our new multi-os campaign. This week is iOS (the apple iphone operating system)

The latest campaign introduced by mobiles.co.uk will be focusing on 4 key smartphone groups and their relevant operating systems: The Multi-OS campaign has launched with its first smartphone in the range being the iPhone iOS.
Each week we will be hosting a different mobile phone operating system and educating the market on how these work and the key benefits and features of each one.
The initial launch of the multi-os campaign has started with the apple iphone iOS, other operating system’s included in this will be Android, Win Phone 7 and Blackberry OS.

For example, This week’s iOS campaign for the apple iPhone operating system consists of key selling points such as itunes store, face time and even the “find my iPhone” application.

Not only will the new campaign introduce the systems to people who don’t know about them or ones that use them and want to find out more, we will also be offering special deals each week for their respective handsets such as latest deals on the iPhone.

BlackBerry 9860 Torch Available Now! Read now for the best mobile phone deals online.

2011-09-16T15:14:51+00:00

It’s only been available on pre-order a couple of weeks but the eagerly awaited BlackBerry 9860 is in stock now at mobiles.co.uk.

For those who don’t know the BlackBerry Torch 9860 is RIM’s proper touch screen phone (or all-touch as they call it), dropping their trademark QWERTRY keyboard in favour of a 3.7 inch capacitive touch screen making it the largest in Blackberry’s range and even bigger than the iPhone 4. At the same time though it’s also BlackBerry’s thinnest phone

And this slender smartphone is crammed full of features. It ships with BlackBerry’s Updated OS 7 with improved graphics (see below) and browsing.

Other features include a 1.2Ghz processor, 5 mega-pixel camera and then there’s of course the hugely popular BlackBerry Messenger updated to version 6.

The 9860 also boasts Liquid Graphics™ which provides smoother rendering and fluid graphics when combined with the high resolution screen – making it the prettiest BlackBerry to date.

Available on Vodafone and now O2, the new touchscreen only BlackBerry device is free from £31 per month with 300 minutes, unlimited texts plus that all important chunk of data allowance capping at 500MB. Alternatively, get it ever so slightly cheaper on o2 24 month contract with 4 months half price. This deal offers the same inclusive bundle at effectively £29.33 per month via our cashback by redemption scheme.

If you’re not ready for full touch screen then be sure to check out the coming soon BlackBerry Torch 9810 which is a hybrid of touch screen technology and traditional keyboard or click here for the best deals on the 9860.

Android News Round Up: The Jelly Bean, Dr Dre, Sensation XE And Runnymede Edition

2011-09-15T15:02:12+00:00

Don’t worry, we haven’t completely lost our marbles here at Mobiles, there is a very good reason (three in fact) that we’ve listed such a random combination of words in the title. First up, the moniker for the incarnation of Android following Ice Cream Sandwich has supposedly been leaked and as expected, follows the traditional confectionary based naming convention that we’ve all grown quite acustom to. Say hello to Android Jelly Bean.

According to ‘ThisIsMyNext‘, Google are already planning and working on the successor to Ice Cream Sandwich but quite how it fits in the line up remains to be seen. All we know is, we’re still looking forward to the delicious delights that Ice Cream Sandwich brings to the table with the rumours that it’ll be the first combined OS optimised to work flawlessly on both Tablets and Smartphones and should go along way to address the fragmentation issues that continue to plague Android.

Next up, following the acquisition of Beats Audio by HTC, we have the Official announcement of the first ever handset to benefit from the new found collaboration with the creators of the Beats by Dre range. This is the HTC Sensation XE, which for all intents and purposes is a slightly souped up HTC Sensation; a phone which we praised heavily already. The Sensation XE is said to benefit from a clever piece of software, refreshed UI and of course, the obligatory Dr. Dre endorsed headphones which offers the ‘ultimate mobile audio experience’ according to HTC. On top of this, the Sensation XE’s processor clock speed has been upped to 1.5GHz versus the 1.2GHz in the Sensation (or rather, the HTC Sensation was downclocked originally from 1.5GHz to 1.2GHz) on top of which HTC have incorporated a larger 1730mAh battery, included a 16GB or 32GB SD card and have given the Sensation XE a lick of red paint and a bebo-esque red logo on the back casing.

Finally, we have the strangest item of news in the form of another HTC handset ground from the rumor mill and this one really should be filed with a pinch of salt or rather, some of the details should be. This is said to be the HTC Runnymede, which as far as we can tell is an Android touting HTC Titan that we featured earlier in the month. Specs are said to include a single core 1.5GHz processor, 8MP rear camera with dual LED Flash, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a whopping 4.7inch WVGA screen and the obvious Beats upgrades.

Where things start looking a little odd to us, is with the screen shot that’s shown in the supposed HTC press shots. Look closely at the bottom dock bar, looking specifically at the on-screen buttons in the bottom left and bottom right hand corner. We could be wrong, but we can’t recall ever seeing a Sense version that looked like this. Chances are that someone has just photoshopped a poor choice of screenshot onto the Runnymede but what we really don’t understandis the decision to use a single core 1.5GHz processor on a phone which would normally be considered a flagship with it’s huge 4.7 inch screen. We’ll keep digging to see what else we can uncover, so keep an eye on the blog for more details.

What will iOS5 offer you

2011-09-14T13:39:24+00:00

In the last week there have been lots of stories floating around regarding the latest version of Apple’s iPhone software (iOS 5). Apparently the networks have been sent official versions of the software the latest software and some vloggers are even showing ways to add the latest version of the OS to your phone We know that the latest Apple operating system IOS 5 is coming soon but what does it actually do? IOS 5 boasts over 200 new features for you to get to grips with, helping you to stay ahead of the crowd with an even more advanced phone than ever before!

Notification Centre
With texts, emails and social media messages coming in to your iPhone keep track of them all in one location with Apples new Notification Centre. Now you will never miss out on that all important message with the ability to swipe down on the screen to enter the notification centre, customisable by you to see which notifications you want to see without interrupting what you are doing.

iMessage

If messaging is your thing then iMessage will be perfect for you. IMessage is a new messaging service for all IOS 5 users. Keep up to date on the go and send unlimited text messages, photos and videos via Wi-Fi or 3G. If organising your friends is your thing then keep everyone in the loop with group messaging and see when your messages have been delivered and read.

Newsstand
Have magazine and newspaper subscriptions on your iPhone? Then Newsstand lets you access all your publications quickly and easily all in one place. As new issues come out, Newsstand will automatically update them ready and waiting for your next visit with all the latest covers.

Enhanced Camera + Photos
Why settle for less than perfect photos? Photo enhancements allow users on iOS 5 to use their creative flair and turn off the cuff snaps into wall-worthy masterpieces. iOS 5 offers the ability to Crop, rotate, enhance and remove red-eye all within the photo app. The Auto Enhance feature transforms your poorly lit photos into studio quality images. All of your photos are then backed up directly to your iCloud for safekeeping or why not push your new and improved images to all of your IOS devices.

PC Free
Don’t have a PC? No worries with PC free it cuts the cord between your iOS device and your home computer. In the past you would need to plug your iOS device into a Mac or PC to set it up, now this can all be performed wirelessly without the need of a Mac or PC. Sync with your computer and move your music and movies about all via wifi. (And of course everything is backed up to your iCloud). Free iOS software updates can also be downloaded directly to your device.

iCloud
iCloud is like having a hard drive in the sky which your Apple phone can sync with. Not only is your iOS device backed up to Apple’s server but your home computer and other iOS devices are also updated. What this means is if you lose or damage your device none of your media or data will be lost and can instantly be restored on any replacement iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac. On top of this iTunes Match offers a fast and easy way to back up your music library. Click here for more info.

It seems IOS 5 is to be the most extensive software update ever, offering you even more freedom to do the things you love on the go effortlessly.
Take a look at our Apple iOS page here to learn more and compare against over operating systems to find the perfect Smartphone for you.

iPhone 5 Price in UK – predictions and rumours

2011-09-13T09:05:02+00:00

Few pundits would dare predict the iPhone 5 price in the UK with so many factors affecting cost. The factors affecting price will have to include how technically different the device is, the change in design and how competitive the market is.

There have been many iPhone 5 rumours and we have reported that the specs are likely to be highly superior to its predecessor with dual core processing, 1 GB of RAM and improved camera/video capabilities. All this comes at a cost that Apple either absorbs or passes on to consumers.

Another factor that will have bearing on the iPhone 5 price is whether it will come equipped with 4g LTE chip. This rumour spread following reports that Apple stores were being outfitted to test LTE. But Apple seems to have put the idea to bed with new CEO, Tim Cook, coming out and saying the chip would make the handset too bulky at its current state. Also it is thought the current cost of LTE chip would push the iPhone 5 cost beyond the favourable price point.

As far as design is concerned the big talk has been whether iPhone 5 will have a curved back and a bigger 4” screen. Leaked photos from the wintek manufacturing plant seem to suggest the iPhone 5 will have a bigger full 4” screen but we don’t expect this to have much bearing on price.

The main pricing factor will probably be competition. One should note that the iPhone 5 is being launched in a far more crowded market than its predecessor so many competing Smartphones like Samsung Galaxy S2, HTC sensation and LG Optimus 3D are very credible alternatives at a reasonable price.

Android is now the leading OS in the market by sheer number of devices and with upgrade of the software to ice cream sandwich this will give iPhone 5 a stiff competition.

The iPad 2 launch has taught many industry watchers about Apples thinking regarding pricing. Many expected the increased iPad 2 features to come at a premium but Apple threw a curve ball to Galaxy tab and other competing tablets by releasing at same price as the first version. This is great for the gadget fans as it leads to a price crash of the previous tech putting it within reach of many more consumers such as great iPhone 4 deals.

The best prediction for the iPhone 5 handset price in the UK is around £510 for the 16 GB and £612 for the 32 GB which is similar to iPhone 4 at launch. The contract best prices are likely to be around £189 for 16 GB and £280 for the 32 GB on an 18 month £35 monthly tariff. In general Apple has increased its product prices in the UK in line with increase in VAT to 20 percent so we should expect to pay a bit more for the iPhone 5.

However there could be another price point following more rumours of a 64 GB prototype version. It is difficult to imagine what most people would do with 64 GB on a mobile phone device but may be possible with prices of storage falling.

So the most likely prediction is that Apple will repeat the idea of keeping the iPhone 5 launch price the same as its predecessor while upping the technology in the product. You can be notified of the iPhone 5 price in UK as soon as we know it by registering on our Apple iPhone page.

Best Mobile Network For University.

2011-09-12T16:52:12+00:00

If your off to uni soon it’s fairly easy to pick the handset you want, you’ve probably got preferences from past experience of which phone brand you like and which you don’t, you’ve seen the features on your friends phones or maybe, like me, you trawl through the Internet picking up all the rumours and just want the latest gadgets regardless of whether or not you’ll use the new features. Either way you’ve most likely found the phone you want. Now it’s time to consider what Network you should get it on.

Many don’t even consider this, they’ve had their mobile with the same provider for years and are more than happy with the service they’ve received. However for many students heading off to university this is the first time that you’ll be spending significant time away from home. If your uni is more than an hour’s journey from home you might find that the signal in your new accommodation isn’t up to the standard you’re used to. The last thing you want is to be tied into a two year contract with a provider who’s got a patchy service where you’ll be spending two thirds of the year. (You don’t want to miss out on spur of the moment house party’s and cinema trips just because you didn’t have any signal.)

Here’s a few tips you can follow that might save you from being “cut off”.

Local Knowledge is always best, later we’ll talk about how you can check the network coverage remotely from your computer at home but these really aren’t full proof. What they don’t account for is if there any obstacles between you and the mast that might be blocking signal. The best way to find out the best signal for uni is to ask people who live in the local area and ask somebody subjective. Luckily Carphone Warehouse stores are spread throughout the country and you’re likely to find one near your university. As they offer all the major phone networks they shouldn’t be biased so give them a call and ask if they know which network offers the strongest signal in the area. Secondly you could speak to the student union. Most universities have unions made up of current or ex-students and they’ll be more than happy to let you know what their experiences are.

Once you’ve done this research you then have another two sources of information. The first offers a biased view, the networks coverage map. All the networks offer coverage maps of the uk, simply type your networks name and coverage map into Google and the first link will probably give you the information you’re looking for. The problem with this method is that the data on these pages hasn’t been tested. For example it might show you have amazing signal at your new uni, this is because they know a mast is close by and should cover your new accommodation. What they haven’t done unfortunately is driven to every postcode in the country to check the signal. As this is the case this information is really hypothetical. The next option you have is to go to http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/.

Site finder shows you exactly which masts are near your uni and who looks after them. From this you should be able to find two or three masts and decide which network has the best

signal for you. It might be worth bearing in mind however that in your second year you’ll be moving out of student halls into a rented house so take a look at the wider area and see who has the most masts in the area. You can also see what type of masts they are GSM or UMTS. GSM is the older technology that gives you good signal but not so good for data, UMTS sites offer the 3G speeds so great for internet type functions on your phone. If you think you’re going to use the internet on your phone you probably want to look for a network with a local UMTS mast. The issue with this system is the same as before, although you could be living right next to a mast if your building is made of reinforced concrete signal might not penetrate the fortified walls. The other draw back to site finder is that the site doesn’t show if the mast is actually functioning. You might not be aware of this but masts break down all the time. We don’t notice as usually if this happens there is another mast nearby that you’ll use instead. If you choose a network based solely on the fact that they have one 3G mast next to your uni, it’s possible that it might not be switched on and you won’t get the signal you were expecting. The masts are constantly being repaired but we don’t recommend putting all of your eggs into one basket

As you can see there isn’t a sure fire way of checking you’ll get good signal at uni but if you follow at least two of these tips you should find yourself with plenty of signal to keep in touch with your family back home and more importantly, with enough signal to meet up with your new friends at uni. If you want to see what offers we have for students check out the following page and why not enter our competition to win a student survival kit over on our Facebook page. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

What are the best pay as you go deals?

2011-09-09T11:12:02+00:00

Pay-as-you-go was originally an expensive and unexciting proposition. Now it comes with top-up incentives that can offer anything up to unlimited texts with a small monthly top-up. With everyone off to school and university, pay-as-you-go can be really beneficial financially. So which network is best for you? Well it depends on what you like to do with your phone as each network offers slightly different perks, so apart from obviously getting the best signal what else should you be considering? Take a look below to see how much bang you can get for your buck as we highlight what you get when you top up with either a £10 or £15 top up. (Apart from £10 or £15 pounds worth of calls of course)

With every monthly top-up of £10, O2 provide 300 free texts and 500MB of data with unlimited Wi-Fi access. O2 rewards is an incentive rewarding customers for the amount they top up every 6 month period. Customers receive 5% back on all their top-ups in the first 6 months and then 10% back thereafter. O2 priority offers customers a 48 hour window before general release to purchase tickets for gigs at the O2 arena. Perfect for students! Parents can also ensure that their kids don’t run out of credit by logging on to O2 and setting up automatic top-ups up.

Orange offers 300 free texts and 100MB of internet with a monthly top-up of £10. Unlimited texts rewards can also be added for £5 and can be activated by texting ‘TEXTS 5’ to 6620 from your Orange pay-as-you-go sim. The ever popular ‘Orange Wednesday’ offers 2 for 1 cinema tickets and 2 for 1 pizza express meals for you to share with friends and family. Lastly, Orange now offer ‘Film-to-go’ which is a free movie rental service via iTunes. Great for saving if your on a tight budget.

With a monthly £10 top-up, T-Mobile offer 100 minutes or unlimited texts. To access these great offers you will need to either text ‘TEXT’ or ‘TALK’ to 146 to switch to your plan of choice. One other plan which is available is their international plan, as before text ‘INT MONTH’ for this to be applied. The international plan provides you with 60 free international minutes to be used with 65 different countries, so great if your studying in the uk from overseas and want to keep in touch with your family back home. A chargeable internet booster is available for £5 a month and includes 500MB of data, the same amount of data which is available on most pay monthly services!

Virgin offer 300 free texts with every monthly top-up of £10. There’s also a bonus for all uni students possessing a NUS extra card – 15% discount on all top-ups! That’s a saving of £1.50 which equates to one cheap beverage or a loaf of bread and a tin of beans depending on your preference. If you’re a customer of virgin media then you can also benefit from free virgin to virgin calls. To activate this service you need to call 789.

As a Vodafone customer, you can receive 300 free texts and 500MB of data when you top up £10 a month. 1000 minutes are also up for grabs for those chatterbox’s who run up your phone bills, to activate the free minutes you are required to call 4352.

For all you text addicts, TalkMobile offers unlimited free texts when you switch your talk plan to ‘textmania’. Alternatively, you can apply the international plan and receive 75 free international minutes to call those loved ones abroad. These incentives are available when you top up £10 per month. TalkMobile are the only network to offer free voicemail if you are unable to answer your phone at school! Lifesaver is as it says on the tin… offering an extra £1 worth of credit for the times when you need it. This is then paid back once you next top-up your phone.

Lastly, Three offers the equivalent of a pay monthly tariff when you top-up up a slightly higher amount of £15 per month. For £15, you get 300 minutes, 3000 texts and all-you-can-eat data for you social butterflies! Now Facebooking doesn’t have to cost the earth on pay-as-you-go. Skype to Skype calls, Windows messenger and Twitter are all free with no need to top-up. This really is great value considering that you get pretty much a pay monthly service on pay as you go meaning if you need to save a bit of money for a month you can skip a top up and pick up where you left off the following month.

So as you can see each network offers different perks that will appeal to different people. Why net tell us in the comments below which networks you think offer the best pay as you go incentives in the comments below!

Xperia Ray in Stock

2011-09-08T22:41:58+00:00

Last night I had the pleasure of being invited to a swanky Sony Ericsson Event in the west end, apart from getting an intimate performance from Emeli Sande and a up close and personal mind trip from Magician Impossible, Dynamo. I also got to play with the Newley Released Xperia Ray. (I took one picture so please excuse the low level mood lighting).

The Xperia Ray is essentially the Xperia Arc on a diet. As soon as the handset was placed in my hand I started to second guess if this was actually an Android handset. The phone is very slim at only 9.4 mm so is .1mm thicker then the iPhone 4 and a total of 9mm smaller in width and height, honestly it did seem nice to hold a reasonably sized smartphone again that I could wrap my entire hand around. Unfortunately due to those damned laws of physics the screen measures 3.3 inches. Compared to the iPhone thats only .2 inches smaller but is almost a whole inch smaller then the Xperia Arc. But the question is, is it still useable? In short yes. The smaller screen really doesn’t affect the experience when playing games and watching movies, the on screen keyboard might be slightly less useable especially if you’ve got big hands but if you do, then the Arc is probably more suited to your anatomy.

You also get an 8 Mega pixel Camera that produces images at a resolution of 3264 x 2488 pixels and includes auto focus and an LED flash. Sony Ericsson also had some pretty special software running on most of their Android handsets. The software is said to be an update coming soon to most of their recent releases. The Xperia Ray comes with Gingerbread 2.3 installed which is currently the latest version, but 2.3.4 which was being show cased comes with “3D sweep panorama” What’s that then? Well, what it does is takes 3D images using it’s single camera. Simply boot the camera and hold your phone in the air, sweep it from right to left (Or left to right if you’d prefer) and voila you have a 3D image. The only drawback being you’ll need to plug the camera into a 3D Sony TV to see the 3D image as no Sony Ericsson phones currently have a 3D display. So on one hand it’s not very practical but on the other is a really amazing software trick that you mates Samsung doesn’t have! One up for Sony Ericsson.

Another little Software tweak is Facebook integration. I was shown two nice little features that offer an improved way of sharing stuff with your friends. Firstly the music player (See badly lit photo) has a dedicated thumbs up button. Press this and the track your listening to gets uploaded to your Facebook wall, not revolutionary but a nice touch and allows you to let your friends know how incredible cool you are without ever leaving the music app. Secondly from the home screen when you hold your finger on an app you don’t just get the option to remove it as with most Android handsets, you also get an option to share the app on your Facebook wall. This is quite a unique way of using Facebook share with most sharing services reserved for music, videos and pictures. It’s really about time that apps got the same treatment.

Apart from that you get all the mod cons, wifi, bluetooth SD memory card slot, 1.4 GHz processor, HDMI port, YouTube support, FM stereo etc. The Xperia ray really packs a lot into a stylish little smartphone. And the best news of all, it’s currently available right now at mobiles.co.uk free from £25 pounds per month.

HTC Titan and HTC Radar Coming Soon

2011-09-07T15:59:09+00:00

This week HTC announced two Windows 7 phones the Titan and the Radar. Windows phones are still set to be a big contender in the market place with with Nokia expected to adopt the OS onto all their Smartphones from Q3. We’re big fans of HTC here at Mobiles.co.uk with the Android Sensation being one of our most loved phones this year. Lets see if they’ve done it again for Windows.

The HTC Radar

Size

The Radar is the smaller of the two measuring 120.5 x 61.5 x 10.9 mm, so in comparison to other HTC’s your looking at a similar size to the HTC Desire S. With that you get a 3.8 inch display that offers 480 by 800 pixels. Nothing revolutionary here but defiantly not under delivering.

Specs

Inside we’ve got a 1 GHz Scorpion processor found in most Android smartphones currently available, a healthy 5 megapixel camera, auto focus and a flash LE.D. The camera’s images will be a maximum of 2560 x 1920 pixels and 720p video at 30 frames per second. Again a solid performance so far. 8GB of internal storage and 512MB of ram as well as a sleuth of other features wifi b/g/n, Bluetooth v2.1 and a stereo radio. The big difference is the lack of an external memory card. This is due to the Windows operating system which doesn’t allow for the swapping over of memory cards without a full format.

Software

The Radar is going to come with windows 7.5 (Mango) which is the much anticipated updated to the original windows 7 software and will bring some essential updates such as multitasking, social media integration and maps. On top of the Windows update HTC have added some spice of their own with the HTC watch application. This offers owners of the handset access to premium music and video content directly to their handset which is streamed over Wifi and 3G. This is quite similar to the iTunes app found on iPhones and iPads, time will tell how popular this feature will be and will mainly judged on content and cost.

Next up the HTC Titan

This isn’t the first windows phone from HTC to have this name although the previous model was launched under network specific pseudonyms (Orange SPV M3100 for example). In it’s day the original Titan (Or tytn as it was cleverly branded) was the cream of the crop for, although compared to today’s standards it was pretty horrific. Lets see how it stands up.

Size

Well as the name suggests it’s a big phone. The Titan is 131.5 x 70.07 x 9.9mm so the biggest windows phone yet. Larger still then the HD7, you’re going to notice this in your pocket however for that you get a 4.7 inch display which is pretty impressive. The pixels displayed is 480 x 800 so not a higer resolution then the Radar but if your eye sight isn’t the best we’re sure you’ll appreciate the extra inch.

Specs

Thanks to the larger form factor you get a 1.5 GHz processor which is the fastest from HTC and Windows 7. Although not dual core 1.5GHz is more then enough to process any mobile operations with ease. You also get an 8 mega pixel camera offering images with a resolution of 3264 x 2448 pixels, auto focus and L.E.D flash. You also get a front facing 1.3 mega pixel camera for video calls and using as a mirror. 16GB of internal memory and 512mb of ram, although again you’re not able to get external memory cards due to the operating system.

Software

All of the above, the HTC titan comes with windows 7.5 Mango as well and getting the HTC watch software on top so a pretty solid phone all round.

Final Thoughts

Both the Titan and Radar offer a wider range of handsets to the Windows phone fans and updates what was becoming an outdated catalogue. We know that the build quality of HTC phones is solid and can rely on happy customers in the hardware camp. What is waiting to be seen is the success of windows 7 as a mobile operating system. We think with the big names backing it windows 7.5 is going to be a success sooner or later especially with the resources Microsoft has to pull from. The HTC Titan and Radar should be available in Q3 and you can register for updates on the release dates here.

HP Touchpad Back in stock!

2011-09-06T14:28:42+00:00

The HP Touch Pad is coming back into stock from tomorrow for a limited period, check it out here. Don’t know what the Touchpad is? Then read on.

Two weeks ago a new tablet hit the stores and it sold out instantly. The demand for the tablet was so high that our parent company The Carphone Warehouse had to add a specific out of stock message to their homepage. At this point tech addicts were hunting hi and low to find a retailer that still had stock of this wonder device. You’d be forgiven if you thought this was
Apple’s newest gizmo as the panic buying reached unprecedented levels, however the device in question is not born from the ideology of Steve Jobs. We’re in fact talking about the HP Touchpad.

The Touchpad Runs on a unique operating system called “Web OS” which is solid in design, usability and well respected within the tablet world. It offers the best level of multitasking found on any mobile device and the build quality is exceptional. You might now be thinking why was this so popular but you haven’t head about it? Well the reason the Touchpad has sold so well isn’t due to it’s clever OS or it’s processing power, it isn’t because it offers a revolutionary experience, no, the HP Touchpad is like gold dust for one specific reason. It’s cheap, really really cheap.

Last Month HP decided to get out of the PC hardware game and is closing down it’s consumer manufacturing business. As a result the HP Touchpad and it’s mobile phone the PRE are also coming to an end before they’ve really had a chance to shine. Due to this announcement the future of Web OS was cast into doubt with nobody sure if the platform would be able to survive against the likes of Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. It’s been known for a while that a mobile OS is judged by the apps that are available for it. Apple’s 500,000 apps available for iPhone and iPad have made it one of the most popular devices in the world. In contrast Nokia’s struggle to encourage app developers for their Symbian operating system has resulted in Nokia abandoning ship and hoping into bed with Microsoft and Windows Mobile.

As Nokia has demonstrated a lack of app developers can lead to difficult times for any operating system and with HP ceasing the production of all Web OS devices any fans intending to develop apps for the Touchpad or PRE will find themselves second guessing if any rewards will be received for their efforts. Web OS could be over before it’s really started. So why is the Touchpad still so popular?

For two reasons. The first being the HP Touchpad was going to Launch with a price tag of around £400, after HP’s announcement to get out of the manufacturing business the price was dropped to a staggering £89.00 for the 16GB variant and £115 for the 32GB variant. When you compare this to other tablets on the market, the Specs just don’t stand up. Google “10 inch tablets” and you won’t find any at this price point from a household brand. The other reason being that even though the software is solid and out of the box will do what most people use a tablet for (Web browsing, watching movies, listening to music, amending documents) a bunch of Android fans are working tirelessly to port Google’s Android OS onto the Touchpad. If they’re successful an £89 tablet with such a great spec running an OS with over 100,00 apps would be a clear winner in the market place.

As you can see with the HP Touchpad you really can’t go wrong with huge amount of potential. At mobiles.co.uk from tomorrow we are offering the HP Touchpad as a free gift on contracts starting from as little as £15.32. Our stock will be arriving tomorrow and you’ll be able to order them on the new low cost tariffs by tomorrow afternoon keep checking this link.

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BlackBerry Bold 9900 the best of both worlds.

2011-09-06T09:07:47+00:00

Ok, so here’s you’re predicament. You want a top of the line BlackBerry in a traditional BlackBerry form factor but you’re intrigued by this new fangled touchscreen technology. What are you going to do? Well, you could buy yourself a BlackBerry Bold 9780, an iPod Touch and a soldering iron and get creative. Or, you could check out the amazing new BlackBerry Bold 9900 that has just landed in the UK, boasting that tried and tested BlackBerry design (with full QWERTY keyboard) and combining it with a stunning touchscreen display. We recommend the latter.

Launching last week, the Bold 9900 is RIM’s (the people behind BlackBerry) latest flagship phone and brings with it a wealth of top of the line specs and an all new operating system to boot. On the outside, it’s very much business as usual for the 9900 – if it ain’t broke… – with a full QWERTY keyboard, optical track pad and a 2.8 inch display all wrapped up in a premium and stylish design that exudes exclusivity (though with the excellent deals you can pick these up on, expect this to be next must have for BB fans – more on that later).

On the inside, RIM certainly aren’t pulling any punches. The Bold 9900 runs BlackBerry OS 7, the latest iteration of BlackBerry’s proprietary OS which brings along with it improved performance (apps open almost instantly with no lag), support for new technologies such as HD video recording and NFC (or near field communications, enabling contact interaction like those used on the Underground Oyster Card payment system), and several improvements to the built in apps such as email and BBM. The new OS is also perfectly suited to touchscreen navigation and the touchscreen unit on the 9900 is as good as they get with fluid animations and support for multi-touch (pinch-to-zoom!). All of these tweaks make for the most advanced and user friendly OS to have ever graced a BlackBerry device and a real contender for the heavy weights of iOS and Android.

Powering the revamped operating system is a 1.2GHz Qualcomm processor 768MB RAM making the Bold 9900 the most powerful smartphone the Canadian outfit has released to date. No longer just concerned with email and messaging, the multimedia arm of the 9900 has also received a significant shot in the err… arm, sporting a 5.0 Megapixel camera with image stabilisation software, an LED flash, face detection and Geo-tagging using the built in GPS chip. Video capture has also been boosted with 720p HD video capture (thanks to the OS update) andthe LED flash doubling as a video light. Internal memory is a respectable 8GB but for those who insist on carting around every music track they’ve ever heard, memory is expandable up to 32GB via a memory card slot (allowing for a potential 40GB of memory).

Elsewhere, the Bold 9900 features all the little extras you’ve come to expect in a top of the range smartphone including Wi-Fi, HSDPA, GPS and Bluetooth not to mention the perks of being a BlackBerry owner; namely BBM instant messaging and best in class email. The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is in stock now and available on O2, Talkmobile and Vodafone on a range of 12, 18 and 24 month contracts. Our pick? Vodafone BlackBerry 300 + Mobile Internet which comes in at £31 p/m, gives you 300 minutes, unlimited texts and 500MB data for BlackBerry email, BBM and web browsing.Whatever your tariff/network of choice may be, if you’re in the market for a high end smartphone that excels at email, masters multimedia and quenches your thirst for QWERTY, look no further than the BlackBerry Bold 9900.

Does iPhone 5 & iOS5 spell the end for iPhone 4?

2011-09-05T14:43:53+00:00

In short – absolutely not.

The iPhone 4 was a bit of a game changer when it launched. Ultra-premium construction (something Apple’s competitors are still struggling to match a year on), front-facing camera, Facetime, and a whole host of operating system upgrades meant if you had an iPhone 3GS or below, you pretty soon found yourself yearning for an iPhone 4 with its sexy construction and massive speed increase.

This year’s iPhone launch is less likely to be as revolutionary – you can see a roundup of the most recent rumours here.

First and foremost, it’s unlikely there will be any massive technology changes although we will in all likelihood see a processor speed upgrade, and some cosmetic changes. HOWEVER – and here’s the crucial bit – the iPhone 4 is plenty fast enough already so beyond the cosmetics, why choose an iPhone 5?

The answer should be iOS5 – Apple’s latest incarnation of the iPhone’s software, but as with iOS4 before it, it’s going to be made available on older-gen iPhones including the iPhone 4. That means that most of the great new functionality such as iCloud, iMessage, and iTunes Match will be available on iPhone 4 and the big advantage here is that as soon as the iPhone 5 is available, you’ll be able to pick up an iPhone 4 for HTC money.

I say should because there are those of us who will just go and buy an iPhone 5 anyway!

Some of the iOS5 features you’ll be able to enjoy on your Apple iPhone 4 include:

Notification center – a bit like the swipe-down alerts screen on Android, you’ll finally be able to see all your alerts in one place.
iMessage – yep – it’s BBM for iPhone (but, not BBM itself, obviously). Instant messaging finally arrives on the iOS platform. No, it’s not groundbreaking, but no doubt it will work brilliantly and you’ll be able to send text messages to ‘normal’ people who don’t have iPhones without having to do anything different.
News stand – If you subscribe to newspaper and magazine apps, you’ll be able to see all your subscriptions listed in the Newsstand app.
Reminders – this one’s really cool. Want to remember to get milk next time you’re at the shops? Tell your iPhone to remind you that you want milk, next time you’re at the shops. (Sounds obvious, doesn’t it). Your iPhone will alert you, when you’re next at the shops, that you need milk! (You’ll need to tell your iPhone where the shops are, mind…)
In-built Twitter support – You’ll be able to connect to Twitter without having to download a separate app – and more to the point, full Twitter integration in your favourite apps.
Camera – it’s not a biggie, but for long-time Apple users, you’ll be glad to hear we’ll be able to take a picture by pressing a button, rather than tapping the screen.
On-screen photo editing – Rather than relying on a host of 3^rd party paid-for applications, we’ll be able to do simple edits to our photos right out of the box.
Calendar, Mail and Safari all get enhanced functionality – bringing them closer to their desktop cousins.
Wireless (Over the Air) software updates! Hooray!
Wifi Sync! Double hooray! No longer will you need to plug your phone into your PC to sync your iTunes library.

No – it won’t have a 3D headache-inducing display like its HTC and LG competitors, and no, it won’t have the latest number-crunching processors. It won’t even have a magnetic power adapter (in fact, it’s not clear whether the Apple iPhone 5 will either) – BUT, for the first time you’ll be able to pick up a cutting edge device with rock solid software and support at a really compelling price.

The iPhone 4 will almost certainly (like the 3GS before it) become the ‘value’ handset in the range, but at mobiles.co.uk we’re pretty sure it’ll be the best ‘value’ handset we’re likely to see for some time to come.

Blackberry 9860 Pre-order now.

2011-09-02T09:21:07+00:00

As the dust settles after the football transfers, Mobiles.co.uk reveals a major signing of its own. You heard it here first; the BlackBerry 9860 has landed, well on pre-order anyway…

The BlackBerry 9860, available to pre-order from today is available on the Vodafone network initially. Free at just £31 per month you will see BlackBerry’s first all touch device (since the Storm series) come partnered with 300 anytime minutes, unlimited texts and a whopping 500MB of BlackBerry data, you get Vodafone passport too. It doesn’t stop there, to make the deal even sweeter we have thrown in £30 automatic Cashback, effectively making your first month just £1.

If free gifts are your thing and with Christmas just around the corner why not increase your monthly spend by just £5 and reap the rewards? You can receive a free BlackBerry 9860, 600 anytime minutes, unlimited texts, 500MB BlackBerry data, Vodafone passport and a free Archos 7 tablet PC!

If you still need convincing and these amazing deals aren’t enough on their own then you’ll need to check out the amazing 3.7 inch touch screen display. This feature makes the BlackBerry 9860 the largest in the Blackberry range so far. With a screen even larger than that of iPhone 4, the 9860 will undoubtedly have Apple quaking in their boots – at least until the iPhone 5 stock lands.

So there you have it, the BlackBerry 9860 is expected to arrive in-stock from next week. It will be released on a first come first served basis so don’t miss out and make sure you pre-order your BlackBerry 9860 today.

Galaxy S II White now available!

2011-09-01T11:05:04+00:00

Henry Ford once said : “You can have whatever colour you like –so long as its black”. This was once the sad case with smartphones too, amazing software, great camera and features but always stored in a black mobile phone which you were embarrassed to take out of your pocket infront of white iphone users, but not anymore! Samsung have now released their Galaxy S2 which was originally only available in black but has now launched a new White Samsung Galaxy S2 to the market!

Samsung’s choice to push forward with this colour is in line with the new range rover sport, White private jets and of course the white apple iphone 4.

Don’t be deterred from buying white mobile phones just because brides may wear white and it may portray innocence and purity, but it also represents being cool, safe and best of all perfection.

The fastest Samsung Android mobile phone is now available in white. If you were impressed with the apple iphone 4 when it launched in its shiny white variant you will be loving life using this new white smartphone with a 4.3” display and LED flash with autofocus. The White Galaxy S2 offers Super Amoled Plus display, great photo and video recording as well as the impressive TouchWiz 4.0 user interface. The S2 runs on android gingerbread 2.3 and comes with a 1.2 Ghz Processor dual core this means faster multi-tasking and better browsing than on the first Samsung Galaxy S.

So the line now goes “You can have whatever colour you like –so long as its black or white”

The White Samsung Galaxy S2 is available now free on Talk mobile 24 month contract or 99.99 on a 12 month contact @ mobiles.co.uk.

Pre 3 Still got plenty of life left!

2011-08-31T14:04:54+00:00

HP has announced that it plans to stop making phones and tablets, so what does this mean for the recently launched HP Pre 3? Well, after a huge drop in price the handset is now available for free from only £10.50 a month on a 24m contract! If you are looking for a cheap monthly contract you won’t get a phone of this caliber for anywhere near this price.

The Pre 3 has a 3.58 inch touchscreen and slide out QWERTY keyboard, a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus, digital zoom and HD video, plus a front facing camera for video calling. There is also a 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8x55 processor, 512MB RAM and 8GB built in memory. It runs on HP’s own Operating system ‘WebOS’ which is ideal for multi-tasking and has its own dedicated app store. This features HP’s card interface which allows you to run and organise multiple apps with just a simple swipe of your finger. You can switch between apps without having to close a thing, just swipe across until you find the one you need. You can also enjoy a full web browsing experience as its offers support for HTML 5 and Adobe Flash player.

The Pre 3 is a top quality handset at a great price, available now only on Vodafone from mobiles.co.uk.

What’s the best for uni? A Laptop, Netbook or Tablet?

2011-08-30T10:29:10+00:00

The results are in – thousands of A-level students across the country are now looking to the future and the lure of university (we don’t need to say what they are but studying is obviously top). And the world of technology has never looked so good to the aspiring student, with tablets, laptops and smartphones aplenty, but whilst we now know how the future generation are getting on in the classroom – the jury is still out on which next generation gadget is best in class.

Well here at mobiles.co.uk we’re going to try and answer that question. Is it the time of the tablet PC or do laptops and their smaller cousins the netbook still reign supreme?

Lap up the Laptop

So let’s start with the traditional laptop as it’s still the most recognised mobile computer device on the market. They sport big screens (significantly more so than netbooks and tablets) and faster processors for better multi-tasking (and we don’t mean shooting Pool in one hand and drinking a beer in the other – that’s impossible). With the inclusion of a mobile broadband package or USB modem dongle, laptops also mean you can take the internet with you, which is great for studying or keeping in touch with friends.

They also tend to hold a sizable chunk or memory both in terms of the Hard-Drive and RAM, supplying ample multimedia storage from music and games to photos and videos plus of course that hefty dissertation!

Where laptops fall short is, whilst still being all about portable computing, they’re pretty big (usually 15-16 inches screen width) and heavy (between 2-3kg’s) and because they do a lot, battery life is key and you’re often left wanting (most laptops peter out at around ten hours)

Netbook Next

If you want something cuter and more compact than a clunky laptop, then the netbook is a good place to start.

When netbooks first arrived on the scene a few years ago, they filled a gap in the market by offering the basics of a laptop but at a much more compelling price. Netbooks do all the things you need on a daily basis from internet browsing, emailing, documentation and storing and editing files. Where they’re lacking is in the powerful hardware that lets you indulge in high octane gaming or lots of multi-tasking.

Netbooks are however much better for portability as they’re smaller and as a result of shedding all the heavy duty stuff, boast a much more healthy battery life meaning it won’t be giving up the ghost quite so regularly when you’re relaxing in the park, pub or coffee shop.

They may lack the punch in terms of processing speed but they’re stylish and affordable and therefore perfect for students, though perhaps as a useful addition to more meaty desktop PC or laptop.

Take your Tablets

Last but not least, the most recent entry into portable computing – the Tablet PC – and you must have been living in a cave to not have heard of these gems because they’re coming out left right and centre at the moment. But many of us are still scratching our heads as to what tablets actually offer that laptops and netbooks don’t.

In truth, not much except maybe the orgy of downloadable apps available catering for everything under the sun. Plus the tablet doesn’t need five minutes to boot into the action. They’re quick, convenient and well…cool.

You won’t be writing wordy documents on a tablet like you could on a netbook however. For a start there’s no keyboard – we’re talking full touchscreen technology here but that’s the norm these days if your new smartphone is anything to go by.

As always though, it comes down to what you’re looking for. Tablets are small enough to fit in a hand bag (from the 7 inches of the market leading iPad 2 to larger incarnations such as the Asus Transformer at over 10 inches) and are therefore the pinnacle of portability.

They also provide an enhanced web browsing experience thanks to high resolution screens, the latter of which also lends itself to gaming, reading e-books and watching movies. A strong battery life also contributes to the growing appeal.

But are they all play and no work? Well they’re compatible with Microsoft software such as Word and Excel and good for multi-tasking, fuelled by decent processors along the same lines of netbooks but maybe not as speedy as laptops.

Okay so maybe we haven’t been able to answer the question of which is best, but it really does depend on what you want to get from it and your personal lifestyle. Gaming and sheer convenience tends to lean toward the tablet, but a powerful portable computer for studying and keeping in touch is where the laptop comes into its own. Netbooks are small and easy to lug around and do the basics of both at a more affordable price.

Whatever you decide, don’t forget to check out our range of tablets and laptops here, all available free with pay monthly phone contracts. Or click here to browse our best student deals to keep you connected.

HTC Smartphones: The Latest Rumours

2011-08-29T08:32:58+00:00

It’s been a pretty hectic week as far as tech news goes, following the shock announcement of Steve Jobs standing down as CEO of the most valuable fruit in the world and the controversial injunction that will block Samsung shipping it’s products in Europe, we bring you not one but three leaks out of the HTC camp.

First up, we have the rumoured HTC Bliss which follows hot on the heels of the recently released HTC Sensation and HTC Evo 3D. Despite being nothing more than a few blurry images previously, XDA China have managed to get some hands on time with the HTC Bliss and have reported it to be running a new incarnation of HTC Sense; Sense 3.5 on top of Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The Bliss is also reported having a front facing camera, 800MHz Qualcomm processor and an Adreno 205 GPU handling the graphics. Dimensions are said to be similar to the current Desire S which means that in all likelihood, this device will form part of HTC mid-range, more affordable offering sitting below the flagship handsets like the Sensation and Evo 3D. Great news for all those out there that like Smartphone tech at affordable prices! (Source: XDA.cn)

Next up, is the leaked screen shots of what is rumoured to be HTC Sense 3.5 (pictured below). Whilst there’s been no confirmation either way from HTC, we’d hedge our bets and say that it looks pretty real to us. Eagle eyed readers will notice that the update appears to be very minor from the screen shots so far, donning two on-screen buttons (App draw and phone) where typically HTC’s curved, black/silver dock would have sat. Aside from this, the screen shots reveal a larger weather widget which, for all those out there that enjoy the weather animations, will also probably be a welcome addition. These screen shots are said to have been captured on the aforementioned HTC Bliss which given it’s spec, seems to support the rumour that HTC will be removing the imposed minimum hardware requirements that infuriated so many HTC owners when Sense 3.0 was announced. That means that for anybody clinging on to a HTC Desire or Wildfire S, chances are you’ll be able to update to this at some point in the not-so distant future! (Source: XDA.cn)

The final HTC update takes us away from the little green Android and over to Windows Phone. Meet the HTC Omega. It’s rumoured to be the next HTC handset joining the Microsoft ranks. You’ll notice if you look carefully, that the Omega looks very, very similar to the Bliss pictured above. In fact, aside from the paint job, the only real difference we can spot is the 3 touch sensitive Windows Phone buttons under the screen where the Bliss dons the usual 4 Android buttons. Given the similarities in looks, we expect the Omega to also share a similar spec list although that isn’t confirmed. The HTC Omega is said to be the first handset launching on the Mango Windows Phone update and the inclusion of the front facing camera supports Microsoft’s confirmation that Mango will bring with compatibility with front facing cameras. Windows Phone users, welcome to the wonders of Skype video calling. (Source: PocketNow)

Hit up the comments section and let us know what you think of the latest HTC devices, do you like them? Would you buy one? And keep an eye on the blog for more details as we get them.

Sad day for Apple as it loses it’s head.

2011-08-26T10:09:10+00:00

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has stepped down and the board has replaced him with Tim cook. The company said “Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company.”

It is a sad story that Apple’s innovator has finally stepped down but we have suspected that this was coming for a while although the timing is quite a surprise. Most expected and hoped he would release the long anticipated iphone 5 before doing so. Steve’s health has been an area of concern since 2004 when he was diagnosed with cancer, Jobs thankfully recovered from this after surgery however was then the recipient of a liver transplant in 2009. In a statement this week Job’s announced “I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.” The exact reason for his step down as CEO is unknown however he will continue his role on the board of directors and remains an employee of Apple.

Apple has some big products coming up such as the long awaited iPhone 5 which no retailer has received a release date for yet, the iPad 3 and not to forget the mass of desktop and laptop computers. It seems while Apple shares decreased, shares in two of Apple’s main competitors gained. HTC rose 4.1% and Samsung Electronics gained 3.2%. These manufacturers compete with Apple in the smartphone and tablet sector of the market. However the overall effect on the share price of apple isn’t expected to last. “At the end of the day, consumers don’t buy products from Apple because they’re from Steve Jobs, they buy them because they meet their needs and they’re good products, and they’ll continue to do that,” Michael Gartenberg from Gartner told the BBC. As long as Tim Cook, a long time serving employee of apple, is able to continue the “Apple Vision” we don’t imagine any dramatic changes in how Apple’s success.

Mobile Music; grooves on the go

2011-08-25T10:37:37+00:00

As we continue our headlong plunge into the digital age, media portability is becoming an accepted (and somewhat taken for granted!) part of everyday life. Be it music, videos, or even an entire shelf of books (yes, we mean you Kindle); your average person will be carrying around quite the library of media – all of which is compressed into something no larger than the palm of your hand. It’s not only the varieties of media that have increased; it’s also the mediums through which one can obtain said media. Today we’ll be looking at music, and the various ways you can get your hands on it…

Napster is a pay monthly service wherein you are given unlimited access to a library of something in the region of 15 million tracks. Spoilt for choice, perhaps? It can be accessed via computer, mobile, or even a net-connected TV. Playlists can be made, and any amendments to these will automatically synchronise with all devices used. MP3s are also purchasable on an individual, pay by download basis.

Pretty much the same as the above. Also claims to have a library of 15 million tracks. A paid premium service is required in order to stream music to a mobile phone, though.

Last.fm is (surprise) similar to the aforementioned two services, only with a more social slant to it. You can create a profile which lists your favoured bands, recommend them to friends, and write a little bit about yourself. It’s also a fantastic way to discover new artists that are similar or related to your existing taste in groups/singers.

Heard of any new music services? Let us know in the comments below.