Google Nexus 4 review

- Phil Lavelle  Nov. 9, 2012 at 17:32

The LG-built Google Nexus 4 is one of those devices sure to delight geeks. Google’s annual unveiling of its latest handset is always a big affair and gives us the latest pure Google handset.

It’s teamed up with HTC and Samsung in the past but this is LG’s first crack at the whip. The difference here is the price. It’s being sold so cheaply, it's already been widely reported that Google is actually shifting the Nexus 4 at a considerable loss (on Google Play, at any rate).

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HTC Windows Phone 8X review

- Phil Lavelle  Nov. 2, 2012 at 15:30

HTC came from seeming obscurity where it had built a solid industry reputation for building Windows Mobile devices (Orange SPV anyone?) before Google launched Android and it smelt an opportunity.

Handsets like the HTC G1 and the Hero really launched the Taiwanese maker into the major league. And then Samsung came along, wanting a slice of the Android pie; launching its Galaxy line and showing HTC that nothing lasts forever.

Luckily, HTC hasn't gone down without a fight. When Microsoft launched Windows Phone 7 two years ago now, HTC was right there at the forefront. And with the 8X it's done that once again, making sure it's front of the queue for Windows Phone 8.

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Samsung: We're not interested in buying RIM

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:30

So, it seems that nobody wants to buy RIM right now. We've had rumours of takeovers and acquisition desires for months but the latest one was that Samsung was mulling over plans to take over the BlackBerry maker.

Well, not anymore, Samsung has issued a flat denial that it ever had any interest in RIM whatsoever. Which is unique because Samsung usually remains schtum. It really is a kick in the proverbial teeth for poor old RIM.

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HTC T-Mobile G1 gets Android Jelly Bean

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 10, 2012 at 10:00

You know when you see someone really old and they're dressed like someone half their age?  This is kinda how we feel about this next story.

The HTC T-Mobile G1 has been given a taste of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Yes, the original Android handset - the one that shipped without an on screen keyboard, no video player codec and didn't even have a decent jack for the headphones - has been given the latest Android OS by those cheeky developers over at XDA.

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Google tries to take Siri on - on iOS!

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 9, 2012 at 16:00

Some of you won't agree with this - I know that. But I'll say it anyway. I think Voice Actions are fantastic on a phone. The ability to just tell my S3 what song to play when in the car is great. Telling it to call the Mrs or send a text, brilliant. But the problem is, it's just not all there.

Google's apparently going to try to change that with Jelly Bean's vocalised responses, a better UI and so forth arriving the next day... but on iOS!

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HTC working on the Endeavour C2, the successor to the One X?

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 9, 2012 at 14:00

Just the other day, we were pontificating about HTC's future with the fact that it's been largely eclipsed by Samsung in terms of sales.

And how the One X is a great handset but the Taiwanese powerhouse needs to really pull something special out the bag to regain that lost ground.

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Windows Phone rebrands Marketplace

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 8, 2012 at 21:00

You know what, credit where credit is due. I thought that the launch of Windows Phone would be a disaster. Let's face it - Windows Mobile was advanced for its time, but it was clunky and a nightmare to get right. I still have a bald patch from the hair tearing I did trying to get my HTC HD to sync up to Tom Tom. In fact, I may need to pour a drink while I write this post.

But, Microsoft has pulled it out of the bag to give us an elegant, articulate new OS that delivers something and that is echoed further in that more and more operators are porting their apps over to Windows Marketplace as well as Android and iOS.

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Motorola Droid RAZR HD not coming on Friday after all

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 8, 2012 at 20:30

What's that? You can't wait for the Motorola Droid RAZR HD this coming Friday? Got your bag packed so that you can go camp outside Carphone Warehouse? Got your portable charger for juicing up your old phone so you have something to play with while you wait for the store to open? Don't forget the thermos and the biccies.

In fact, stand down. As you were. Put them back in the cupboard. It's not coming this week by the looks of things according to TechRadar.

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Jelly Bean getting closer for Samsung Galaxy S III owners

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 8, 2012 at 20:00

We've already been told to expect the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update to the Samsung Galaxy S III sometime in September, and now that update is looking even closer with the news that Samsung has finished internal testing of the latest OS. That means a public release version is the next logical step, providing all went well in the testing stages.

In fact, SamMobile reckons Samsung is already working on the latest public release version and we should be looking to get it sometime around Q3 or Q4.

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Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos arrives in UK

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 7, 2012 at 20:00

What's this? More Samsung Galaxy handsets hitting the shelves? Yup - indeed. This one's aimed at those on a budget who clearly have some form of double life.

It's the Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos - originally announced back in May and now on general sale in the UK. Yours for the handsome price of around £200, depending on where you source it from.

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HTC: things looking even bleaker after July blowout

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 7, 2012 at 19:00

Unfortunately, we can't say we're surprised massively by this - or surprised at all, really - and we're sure you won't be either. HTC has seen its latest monthly sales tumble by a whopping 45%.

That's a year-over-year figure and is based on the fact that, sadly, its pretty good One series handsets are not selling as well as HTC devices once were.

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HTC bringing back Menu button to One devices

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 6, 2012 at 10:30

Now, this is something we really welcome.

Regular viewers of my ramblings will know I love the Samsung Galaxy S3 (again) but also have a real soft spot for the HTC One X. It's a cracking handset. But you know when there's one thing that just lets the experience down for you?

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Nokia bringing back N-Gage, says tipster

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 6, 2012 at 10:00

Nokia's made a few bold design moves over the year. Some have paid off. Some have been marked 'who the fudge signed that off'? (remember the Nokia 3650?!)

Well, times have changed, management's moved on, Symbian's been ditched and Samsung's overtaken the Fins in terms of share - but there's obviously a little bit of nostalgia for the past with the news that, apparently, the ill-fated N-Gage is making a return!

Yup. Us too.

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Apple: Jobs was receptive to 7-inch tablets

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 6, 2012 at 09:00

It's always difficult to tell what's going on in One Infinite Loop and what goes into the decision-making process.

And for so long, we've been told that Apple hates the idea of 7-inch tablets: late boss Steve Jobs said they were pointless, describing them as "dead on arrival" which is why we've never seen them from Apple.

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The iPad is losing out to Android. Or is it?

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 2, 2012 at 10:00

You're never going to please everyone. I've been lambasted here for being a fanboy of one OS, and accused of being a hater of others elsewhere. Which is why I know what's coming almost before I even write this piece.

Here goes - Android is on the up, tablet wise. And Apple's going down. There, I said it. But the figures, as you would imagine, are being disputed.

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Samsung Galaxy Pocket coming to Three

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 2, 2012 at 09:00

It's a funny old place, is mobile land. For years, small was the big thing. Thin was in. And manufacturers worked at getting their wares as small as they could. At one time, Nokia's 8210 was as good as it got.

And now, we've gone the other way. Punters like us lapping up the likes of the Galaxy Note, the Galaxy SIII and the HTC One X. It seems bigger is better - and even many an iPhone owner has lamented the fact that Apple needs a bigger screen (which apparently, may be on the cards).

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Even more confusion over Sony's Xperia Android upgrade plans

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 1, 2012 at 10:00

We're already in a permanent state of confusion thanks to Sony. It seems to have more Xperia handsets on sale than it does customers buying them and more and more arrive on what feels like a daily basis. Overkill, much?

And now, there's the big old hoo-ha over which of these devices is going to be graced with a bit of Ice Cream Sandwich action - or even Jelly Bean 4.1.

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How to balance the work-home life in an ever connected world

- Phil Lavelle  Aug. 1, 2012 at 09:00

Some of us living in London were told that we should work at home during the Olympics to cut down on the number of people piling onto the transport network.

And many employers have actually been keen to promote this, fully safe in the knowledge that by doing so, they're keeping people tethered to the office without wasting hours on the Tube.

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Motorola RAZR Maxx review

- Phil Lavelle  Jul. 31, 2012 at 14:30

Take a fantastic but understated Android handset, throw in a much larger battery and what do you get? One of the best Droids out there at the moment. See, whilst the RAZR may have sold modestly, the Maxx takes that design and - in exchange for a little bit of girth - bumps the battery from 1780mAh to a whopping 3300mAh. Wow.

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LG Optimus 4X HD review

- Phil Lavelle  Jul. 30, 2012 at 15:30

LG used to be one of the great innovators. Remember the Chocolate, the Shine, the Crystal, the Arena? All phones pretty ahead of their time and five or six years ago, there wasn't much in it between Samsung and LG. Both South Korean and both with big ambitions to take on the world.

But in recent years, LG has gone a bit stagnant. Whilst Samsung has overtaken Nokia to become the biggest mobile phone manufacturer on the planet, LG has released a few mediocre Android offerings and watched on with envy. Could the Optimus 4X HD and its killer specs be the one release that redraws the battle lines? 

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