March 2008

Things have been quiet on the front line of 3mobilebuzz recently, but with good reason you’ll be pleased to hear. We’re getting an overhaul!

Overhaul maybe a little exaggerated, but behind the glossy frontage, be assured that changes are underway which will match 3mobilebuzz to our broadening horizons. With new areas for us to apply our cut and thrust, it was decided that some aesthetic alteration was necessary.

Be sure to check back in the next week or so to see what our heavy-rimmed-glasses-wearing design bod has been up to.

Cheers,

Sam.

Ben Smith of SMS Text News has been skiing and has fully informed everyone, through the power of a blog entry, of his gadgetry themed escapades while away carving edges and putting his rear on chair-lifts.

Featuring among the many devices that feature is the 3 Skypephone, Ben’s choice for accompanying him out on the peaks. A selection he made because “it’s a great-sized handset with a decent camera for pictures on the slopes and USB charging means no proprietary adapter is required. Also at £50 I won’t be too distressed if it’s damaged.”

To read the extensive details of his time away and all the gadget action he got into click here.

Before his wife had lost her phone, Chris Garrett of Codswallop: Technology and Productivity was unaware of the 3 Skypephone. However, during the search for a new device, he heard about the possibility of free mobile calling available on the 3 handset and needed to hear no more.

Despite experiencing some slight disappointment due to not being able to make video calls, the free Skype calls more than make up for it. Especially when he considers the amount that the few calls he makes when out and about total up each month and now, with the 3 Skypephone, the majority of these are absorbed by Skype at no cost at all.

He is keen to learn about other peoples experiences with the device as currently he finds it hard to fault, so feel free to leave him a comment.

Jonzo’s blog title, Jonzo’s Rantings is slightly misleading, especially regarding his post on the 3 Skypephone. It is much less of a rant, more of a polite review.

The review begins by explaining how Jonzo bought the device for his computer business and instantly states the it is a “great little phone.” Initially the article is all about the Skype functionality before switching to the 3 Skypehones standard features, including mobile internet that features, “Windows Live Messenger, Facebook, YouTube, Yahoo! Search etc, [while also] making it great for checking e-mails etc when on the move.”

Also mentioned briefly is the TV option, before Jonzo sums up positively on the device in relation to its price and stylish exterior. His final thought, “I would recommend one [3 Skypephone] to anyone who uses Skype and mobile phones.”

Available as of now are accessories for your 3 Skypephone, you can find them all at the 3 Accessory store.

Better late than never, one can now get hold of those elusive replacement batteries along with a veritable myriad of extra-curricular bits and pieces. Speakers, docks, car kits and hard cases all make an appearance, and if mobile paraphernalia is something you can’t get enough off you’ll be more than satisfied. And for those with less of a pressing need, there are the more necessary accessories to help you get the best user experience out of your handset. Enjoy!

At MobileShop.com Technical Markus admits that his review of the 3 Skypephone is somewhat belated. However, he has had a chance to “muck about” with it and feels that it is plenty worthy of a post.

Knowing only that the device is Skype-capable straight out of the box, Markus dived in and spent a night in the company of the first mobile handset to feature fully integrated VoIP. And what was the result? Presumptions about the 3 Skypephone being “gimmicky” were quickly dissipated as he began to realise that it isn’t just a mobile with Skype incorporated, “it’s a proper, full on Skype Phone, where it’s very reason for existence is the Skype messenger built into it.”

The attractive prospects of free calling to not just other 3 Skypephone users, but also Skype users sat at a PC, were more than enough to keep Markus’ interest peaked. If you have a response to the article you can leave Markus a comment here.

Over on the Hexus boards Koocha is talking about his 3 Skypephone.

Purchasing a device to merely see what all the fuss was about has led him to the conclusion that “for the £50 they [3] want, it’s well worth it. Fantastic little phone.” He has now begun to look for a SatNav application so as to direct him wherever he may go. Unfortunately for Koocha, as far as we know, there isn’t currently one available - but we will keep our eyes peeled.

Koocha also asks if there are any secret codes one can enter into the phone to make it do “super duper things”, as if free international calling is not enough?!

John Slane reviews the 3 Skypephone and his verdict is one of praise for the device.

After seeing it advertised while using Skype, John took the plunge, convinced by the possibility of Mobile Skype and MSN at an affordable price. His review goes into the options of PAYG and contract, should any prospective 3 Skypephone owners be adverse to either mode of tariff, before professing the suitability of the handset for those with a penchant for MSN. John finishes his overview by stating that he is unaware of a phone that is as good as the 3 Skypephone and available for the same amount of cash.

The rest of his review is broken into features, performance and whether he’d recommend it to others. You can read these further explorations and the positive outcomes on his site.