Posts tagged iPhone

In a feature posted today on the BBC site it has been stated that smartphones such as the Apple iPhone, the Nokia N97 and the HTC Hero are all proving extremely popular despite the recession. The ability to store all of your media in one place and the added extra of music, games and apps is proving a strong selling tool, encouraging consumers to dig deep despite the economic climate.

“The smartphone is really not a smartphone. It’s really a GPS device, it’s a camera, and a video camera and a place that you can play games and you can browse, and oh by the way, you can make calls.” Says Google boss Eric Schmidt.

Over the next few years we will see more and more exciting technology released such as manufacturers compete to be able to offer consumers the best mobile experience. It hints at the start of a revolution in personal computing.

Speaking of new technology, UKGadgeteer has posted about the recent Mifi feedback session. Read it here.

Just Another Mobile Phone Blog (JAMPB) has reported on Skype’s reaction to the news that T-Mobile will be blocking the use of the VoIP service in Germany. This has led to Jean-Jacques Sahel, Skype’s senior executive for regulation issues in Europe accusing the parent company Deutsche Telekom of suppressing competition.

JAMPB states that, “T-Mobile has told users it will block the latter form of call [VoIP/Skype] and cancel the contracts of any users who try to evade the block.”

For the full story click through.

UK Gadgeteer, reports on the announcement that iPhone is now Skype compatible, and they point out that even though you can’t use Skype over 3G, “Skype chats, and setting your Skype status and mood message will work over EDGE / 3G”. However, it is the not being able to keep the app functioning in the background that they take note of, “Android, Windows Mobile, Symbian (via clients like fring), [and] even the INQ1 and Skypephone all benefit from the ability to leave the app running.”

There is more on this discussion here, or if you want to read the full UK Gadgeteer post click through…

Neville Hobson has Skyped up his iPhone and given a comprehensive overview of the service. He points out that , “[…] if you’ve used Skype before on a computer or a mobile device – with Skype Mobile, for instance, or perhaps with a 3 Skypephone – you’ll know what to expect: it’s simplicity itself, both to set up and use.”

He also mentions though that “[…] you can’t run Skype while you use your iPhone for anything else.” This is also pointed out by Karooze in a three page long thread at the O2 online forums, where discussion also takes in only being able to use the service via WiFi.

This is echoed in Digital Spy where the talk of ‘advancement’ is countered by Ricardodaforce among others, “the OP’s talk about something that “will revolutionise the phone market in the coming months/years?” seems a bit weird when VOIP on the iPhone has been here for ages!”

Boards.IE pit the app against Fring and there is more general discussion in AVForums should the above not give you the fill you need.

News of Skype on the iPhone has prompted a response from 3, as reported by Pocket-Lint’s Amy-Mae Elliot.

The operator has pointed out not only have they been offering the service since 2006, but also that Skype on the iPhone functions differently. Whereas the iPhone relies on Wi-Fi, 3 use the 3G network meaning customers can make a Skype call whenever they have a signal.

Available on contracts from £9 a month and for regularly topping up PAYG customers it is no surprise that the network sees “over 1 million minutes of Skype to Skype calls [being] made on 3 every month.”

For Pocket-Lint’s full article click through…

.Dust the Innovation Weblog has picked out five handset features that they believe will continue to gather momentum this year.

They’ve gone with touch screens, applications, Android, social networking and bespoke services. Each has already begun; from the iPhone’s touch screen, through Google’s Android OS to the INQ1’s Facebook integration, things are already happening.

Do you think they’re on the right lines? Is this the way you see things panning out for the remainder of the year? Let them know your thoughts.

High street handset retailer Phones 4U is set to bolster its network exclusive handsets by adding the Google G1 and 3’s INQ1.

With these two additions, the retailer is only the Apple iPhone short of the full set, the others being the HTC Touch HD on Orange and the Blackberry Storm on Vodafone. These new steeds secure in the Phone 4U stable means that numerically, the store synonymous with hand semaphore outpunches its competitor the Carphone Warehouse when it comes to the exclusives.

Via Mobile Today.

Tim, of the previously mentioned Sparky Malarkey blog (still loving the name), has got INQy fingers.

His full bloodied, headlong leap into the world of INQ1 and first impressions throw up some interesting points - especially bearing in mind that Tim is a dedicated iPhone user. It’s looking like the month ahead could be a comparison frenzy.

For some early pros and cons plus a visual fare on unboxing, just click.

Jay by jayfresh is ready to give the INQ1 a “whirl”. Looking to get to grips with it over the next week or so, his review can be considered pending.

“The INQ1 looks like a pretty big deal for people who are not at the iPhone end of the market, so this is pretty intriguing.”

He’s keen to get his readers involved, so if there’s anything that is particularly pressing in regard to the INQ1 and what it can do, head to his post and let him know via a comment.

The 3G Forum has been directed to a Washington Post article by e1000er discussing the possibility of 3 UK picking up the iPhone.

It comes from comments made by CEO Kevin Russell suggesting it is something the provider would look at. The news is met with differing opinions, both freddyg and Dave_Keys are optimistic, speculating regarding the iPhone and 3’s extensive 3G network. Wenklaw, however is far more dismissive, believing the device is over-hyped.

For the rhyme and reasons and to give your own views join in here.

AVForums contains a thread begun by rulocal asking about new phones ariving on 3 in the near future, specifically he’s after either a HTC HD or Sony Xperia.

Chrism_Scotland responds, but can’t offer anything more definitive than “The Xperia X1 has been mentioned as being released on Three but nothing yet.” In fact contributors to the thread are finding it all a little frustrating, with mentions of a desire for a touchscreen beside the Xperia and the recently mentioned Blackberry Bold.

The way this conversation continues it would appear that the iPhone is quite a temptation to these 3 customers. Click through for the full thread.

Shaping the Future of the Newspaper has written on the INQ1 and the potential it has as a low cost smartphone.

There are comparisons of pricing structures, notably with the G1 and iPhone, along with quotes from Mobile Entertainment and INQ’s Frank Meehan.  Due to launch in December in the UK, Australia and Hong Kong, you could do a lot worse than read some of the words and follow a few of the links contained in the SFN article.

Two more posts discussing the INQ1 launch that took place last Thursday.

First up is sex blogger Naive London Girl, who is excitedly awaiting getting her hands on one and seeing if the hype is worth believing.

The other is Priyanka, author of One Part Truth Two Part Mixer. She believed the INQ1 looked “pretty sweet”, even if it was a little ‘teen’ for her tastes. Nevertheless, not wanting to pass judgement just yet she opted for a couple of questions to conclude her post, “Is there really a need for a phone like this? Does it really do anything more than the iPhone?” If you feel like providing an answer, do so here. And for more images like the one below, head to her Flickr account.

Up on YouTube courtesy of Knowyourmobile is a four and half minute vid of the INQ1. It features a little of the unveil presentation, but is mostly the device in hand. Interesting though, is the side by side moment with the iPhone as browsers are compared.

Oh, and it’s all done to some funky disco tunes…

The Platform, a venue of tech-centric joys, has been talking INQ1.

Understanding what the device can do, and the potential it has, informs the title of the post in question -  INQ1 means mobile social web is for everyone. Tim, the voice behind The Platform, makes the anecdotal point that his sister would probably like the INQ1, and then takes it a step further. “My sister doesn’t necessarily want to pay for a Nokia N96 or an iPhone just so she can access Facebook from her phone. And why should she? Facebook doesn’t require a fast processor, a touch screen, a GPS. It just needs a well executed software solution.”

Tim goes on to explain that this makes the INQ1 good for consumers and carriers alike, to read why and have your say, go here.