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Archive for the ‘Handsets’ Category

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The lovely Lucy from Snippetsofshinythoughts has recently bought the HTC Wildfire on Three and has agreed to write a guest post for us on your thoughts. So sit back, relax and have a read of what fashion-lover Lucy thinks of the new HTC on Three…

I have never had a new and cool phone in my life, as if it’s cool to be different (read adverse to technology) But all has changed! I’ve finally got myself a phone where I can do the things that I really should be able to do on the move.

My interests lie in Fashion and I run a blog, so I need to be on twitter for free and need to be able to be notified each time I get an email. I need a big, clear screen to view net pages and I need to be able to text quickly because that’s my main means of communication. Luckily I’ve chosen a phone that not only does that very well but, thank goodness, looks stylish doing it!

The Wildfire boasts a sleek shape (I really wasn’t keen on the earlier legend), has minimal buttons and has a stylish, modern colour scheme. (Not to mention the essential little hole to hang my phone charms. ahem.)

Apart from having to re-learn how to text on a flat surface, remember those days?!, I find the messaging style greatly convenient. You can see all your communications with different people so you won’t forget what you’ve said and there’s no faffing with outbox emptying. Another cool trick is tipping the phone on its side to widen the keyboard so fat fingers can be happy!

Ok, what about the more techy things? The Wildfire allows me to scroll sideways to view my emails, weather, rss feeds, messages and bookmarks. There couldn’t be a much easier way of getting information. From the main page I can access Twitter with a touch as well as other apps which I can get on the Android market.

Starting up the phone was made a breeze too *sigh of relief.* I could Bluetooth all my contacts from old phone to new and if you accessed a tool on the HTC site, your contacts were automatically linked to Facebook and Twitter accounts. The Wildfire features a scrolling button at the bottom but I don’t think to use it. Maybe some people find it useful but for me it’s pointless really.

So downfalls, hmm well there are very few. I still haven’t worked out if I can link my emails to the main hotmail system so that if I view or delete an email at home, it will update that info on my phone. Maybe there’s no way of doing this, in which case that’s terribly annoying. I’ve also had a little difficulty in setting the default phone number for my favourite contacts, but again its probably me.

I’m afraid I don’t get more technical than that, by why would I need to? It does everything I need very easily and I am kindly informed of every touch I make with a gentle and rather comforting vibration. I have as much signal as my old providers and my 3mobile plan is very good value.

So if you’re like me and are only just waking up from real-world-hibernation and are not really sure what phone to get, I would recommend this baby. Dubbed as the ‘cooler version of the iPhone’, but ‘quietly brilliant’, you can’t go wrong.

Lucy Nicholls
www.Snippetsofshinythoughts.blogspot.com
@Shinythoughts

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12 July, 2010.Handsets Spotify

@GadgetVenue and @UKGadgeteer were discussing last week, Three’s launch of two new Android devices, the HTC Wildfire and the Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro.

Matthew from @GadgetVenue recommends people who are in need of a new contract to consider these handsets on The One Plan, especially due to the six months free Spotify they come with:

“Three has a decent deal going on with “The One Plan” and is well worth checking out if you are in need of a new contract.”

@UKGadgeteer gives an in-depth overview of both the phones and points out that it is nice to see Three offering more exclusives in the market:

“[Three] are now sufficiently recognised by the manufacturers to at least able to negotiate colour exclusives, and you never know, maybe this time next year, we’ll see a worthy smartphone launch exclusively on 3UK…”

If you’re thinking of getting one of these phones on Three let us know – we’d love to hear what you think!

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This week Three has announced two new phones that are to hit their shelves: the BlackBerry Pearl 3G and the HTC Wildfire.



The Blackberry Pearl now combines 3G with its traditional phone keypad for those who prefer the candybar phones over the qwerty keypads more common in smartphones.

Sylvia Chind Head of Branded Devices at Three said:

“The slim-line BlackBerry Pearl 3G is the first Pearl to offer 3G connectivity, making it perfect for our high speed 3G network.



The addition of another Android phone, the HTC Wildfire, is also likely to be a popular choice and welcomed to the 3 family. It has caused a bit of a stir already with the guys over at the PhonesLimited blog who are looking forward to this:

“great new and affordable alternative to the HTC Desire”



And techradar see it as a perfect fir for the Three network:

“With social networking and data access central to the phone, Three was always a likely perfect fit with the phone”



Dates have not been announced for either phone as yet.


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Last week 3 announced that it would be ranging the generic HTC Desire from the 20th April due to demand from people commenting on the blog.



3 always customise the handsets they bring to market with Favourites, Planet3, Skype and Windows Live Messenger. However in this case, they have decided to firstly range the Desire without this customisation in order to get it out to customers as soon as possible. Sylvia Chind from 3:



“This is the non-3 branded version of the phone. Once again, based on your comments on the blog, we’ve decided to launch this version. You’re making us revisit the way we do business.”



This move has been positively received by consumers waiting anxiously to get their hands on the HTC Desire.



However, this commenter goes on to replicate the view of quite a few on the blog, concerning the lack of flexibility on the tariff choices with the phone at the moment.



If you do opt to buy the generic version of this phone, all the special 3 features will still be available to download yourself onto it, so no one will go without.


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So, last night the #FreeTwitteron3 Mission was well and truly accomplished! : )



@adonisdemon, @Bucky366, @reyes, @Godfrey_G2da3, @TarikF, @shinythoughts, @wishwishwish, @kisandie @RandomProdInc and @Dan_Vivian made the perfect spies last night.



Agent T briefed the group before they set out on their mission and armed with HTC Heros, INQ Chat 3Gs and INQ Mini 3Gs they received clues via Twitter and had to twitpic the answers in order to get the next clue.



The teams worked hard to solve the clues and find all the birds. The Agents’ Twitter followers were also called into action to help find all the birds.



The team that worked the hardest and our overall winners were @Godfrey_G2da3 and @TarikF!



Take a look at the pictures from the evening on flickr and search #FreeTwitteron3 to see what the Agents were getting up to last night.



Mission complete agents…over and out.


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23 March, 2010.Handsets Twitter

On Thursday a group of Twitter Agents will be running (stealthily) around Central London, solving clues, and trying to catch and twitpic some rogue birds that are flying around.



They will be using 3UK phones and making the most of the free Twitter that 3 is offering to get and solve the clues.



The list of agents confirmed is below. They’ll be needing your help to solve the clues and find the birds, so keep an eye on Twitter and the #tag (#FreeTwitteron3) and help them where you can!



Agent Hussain (@adonisdemon)
Agent Bucky (@Bucky366)
Agent Reyes (@reyes)
Agent Godfrey (@Godfrey_G2da3)
Agent Fontenelle (@TarikF)
Agent Nicholls (@shinythoughts)
Agent Harwood (@wishwishwish)
Agent Hoare (@MatthewHoare)
Agent Chrysostomou (@PippaChrys)
Agent Burns (@RandomProdInc)
Agent Vivian (@Dan_Vivian)


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18 March, 2010.Handsets Mobile internet

There has been a lot of news flying around t’internet recently about 3 and its handset plans.



3’s announcement of the Sony Ericsson Vivaz with Spotify got dissected by Techradar earlier this week – and retweeted multiple times since! Techradar spoke to 3 and found out that:



“there may be something announced in the next few weeks to bring the Vivaz – and other Sony Ericsson phones (likely the Satio) – with a Spotify contract.”



Mobilenews reported last week that David Kerrigan announced 3’s plans to get 6 more Android phones on their books in the next three months.







You can see a video demo by Brendan Arndt on the 3blog, of the next Android phone to launch on 3, the Samsung Galaxy Portal with the new Android Eclair OS. Pop over and see what you think…and let Brendan know too!


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Craig (@geekcomputers) has recently been trialling the INQ Chat 3G and has posted his thoughts on his blog.



His first comment was that the INQ Chat 3G seemed to be a ‘cool kid’s blackberry’, but that it could also aim to target a broader spectrum of consumers wanting a smart phone.



Fred of tekimage (@wingdisk) who trialled the INQ Mini 3G and posted his review last week made similar noises about the INQ phones being another option for those who wanted the capabilities of a smart phone but in a simpler form.



In his post on geekcomputers Craig covers the camera, battery life, widgets and social networking apps that come preinstalled on the phone, amongst other things. For more detail jump over to his blog to read more.


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Fred (@wingdisk) of tekimage has been trialling the INQ Mini 3G and has gone as far as to compare it to Superman!



He has been putting it through its paces testing out the Skype and Twitter apps and uploading photos straight to facebook.



Fred also talks us through his experience with 3’s 3G network and the improvements he’s seen over the months, due to the work that 3 has been doing to enhance and expand its network.



So, who does Fred see using the INQ Mini 3G? Not just the youths of today – pop over to his blog post and find out. Do you agree?


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3 March, 2010.HTC Hero Handsets Spotify


We’ve had some lovely ladies testing the HTC Hero over the past couple of weeks.



Vikki (@vikkichowney) of The Really Mobile Project, Natasha (@natashabailie), Carrie (@wishwishwish), Amy (@wolfwhistle) and Frankie (@swellvintage) have all tried out the phone on 3.



The general consensus so far has been very positive, although the Hero did take some getting used to by all, mainly due to the touch screen and its being constantly online.



The camera on it seemed to go down well, with Frankie using it to post pictures from the day at London Fashion Weekend. But will it help make up Vikki’s mind as to whether she needs a Hero? Or will the Spotify subscription included help seal the deal?



Check out all their posts to see their thoughts on the phone and ask them any questions about their time with the Hero.


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As reported over the past couple of weeks, we provided 8 fashion addicts with HTC Heros and INQ Chat 3Gs so they could report from the catwalk for free to celebrate 3 offering free Twitter throughout February & March.

The girls took full advantage of the offer and tweeted profusely all day long. Check out #FreeTwitteron3 for a review of the day, from what’s on trend in Spring / Summer 2010 to who bought what (and a lot of buying was done!)

The girls really enjoyed the phones they were using, Natasha (@natashabailie) said of the Hero:

“I was given a HTC Hero phone, which took some getting used to, but if you like gadgets and nifty handheld devices then you will love the (super) Hero phone on 3mobile.”

Whilst half the girls had HTC Heros, the other half had INQ Chat 3Gs which went down a storm with Fiona of SaveOurShoes, a self-confessed technophobe:

“I got to play around with an INQ Mobile for a bit. And now, I am addicted to tweeting, twitpicing and being a general nuisance.”

Check out Ellie (PrettyMuchPenniless) & Frankie (SwellVintage)’s blogs for their round up of the day and have a look at #FreeTwitteron3 to see what Lindsey (@Be_Gorgeous), Katie (@katietheunicorn), Carrie (@wishwishwish) and Amy (@wolfwhistle) also made of it – I’ve been told more blog posts will be coming soon so keep an eye out for them also.

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So the final 8 have been chosen and everyone’s pretty hyped about tweeting for free from the catwalk tomorrow at London Fashion Weekend!



@swellvintage @natashabailie @wolfwhistle and @wishwishwish are all using HTC Heros to tweet from and @katietheunicorn @Be_Gorgeous @SaveOurShoes and @ellietweeter are using INQ Chat 3Gs to keep their communities updated from the catwalk.



Follow them on Saturday to find out what they’ve been doing and what amazing stuff they’ve been seeing.



@nechbi from mypocketOS has also been spreading the word about Free Twitter on 3 throughout February and March, and makes a good point that “if you haven’t used Twitter before, now is a good opportunity to try it out for free.” So why not have a go?!


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24 February, 2010.HTC Hero Handsets INQ Twitter

Two of the winners have been announced!



Natasha (@natashabailie) and Frankie (@swellvintage) have chosen their +1s to bring along to London Fashion Weekend on Saturday. Lindsey (@Be_Gorgeous) and Fiona (@SaveOurShoes) are the 2 lucky winners who will be joining us on Saturday.



Amy (@wolfwhistle) and Carrie’s (@wishwishwish) +1s are still to be decided. If you want to be in with a chance of joining them, pop over to their twitter feeds and twitpic them something that you think proves that “the best things in life are free”.



All 8, will be tweeting for free from the catwalk to make the most of 3’s offering free Twitter throughout February & March. They will be using either an HTC Hero or an INQ Chat 3G. These phones are new to the girls, so if anyone has any hints & tips for them, make sure to let them know.


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23 February, 2010.Handsets MiFi

Today 3’s Nigel Field, Director of Devices, posted on the 3 blog about 3’s handset strategy for 2010 and it seems that the Smartphone is King, with 2009 seeing a growth in popularity of QWERTY keyboards, touchscreens & data devices amongst 3’s customers.



Nigel also talked in his post about Apple:



“We don’t currently have a commercial relationship with Apple but are working to change this during 2010 and add Apple to our portfolio.”



This sparked a mixed response on Twitter, with some people thinking that 3 doesn’t need to stock the iPhone as the HTC phones that 3 are beginning to stock are far and away better



Yet others were getting excited about the opportunities that 3 might have with the iPad and there has been talk about the WiFi version of the iPad and how MiFi could be used to make the most of Apple’s new offering.



What are your thoughts on Nigel’s post and the comments it has provoked? Head over to blog.three.co.uk to read more and join in the conversation.


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15 January, 2010.Handsets INQ


Do we have any art students in the audience tonight? If so, Liam states in his review post that he thinks the INQ Chat 3G is your equivalent in the phone world,


“If the INQ Chat 3G was a person it would be an art student with its distinctive visual identity that sets it apart from other mobile phones.”



Liam goes onto talking about using the INQ Chat 3G with Ubuntu, with a couple of tips for getting the phone connected up via Bluetooth. The browser and the processor speed are areas where Liam thinks the phone needs improving, but the overall impression left by the phone is still a positive one,


“I think you get a lot for your money, this is a phone you can be proud of thanks to its strong visual identity and it feels like it is well made.”



Stephen has also been putting the INQ Chat 3G through its paces. The integration of the social networking apps is seen as a real bonus to the phone, with Skype and Facebook working well. However he feels the Twitter integration isn’t quiet as strong as that of the other two and had some issues with the phone freezing when all were running at once.



Stephen wraps up by recommending the phone to those who don’t want all the apps running all the time, but want them all ready to go out of the box,


“So, if you don’t want to run all the Social Networking apps all the time,but want a device with a QWERTY keyboard, and the ability to use your favourite Social Networking sites out of the box, then certainly go and try out the INQ Chat 3G.”



Have you tried the INQ Chat 3G yet? If you have, hop over to their sites and let them know what you thought of it. If not, and you fancy trying one & sharing your thoughts, let us know and we’ll see what we can do.


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