Archive for the ‘Mobile Phones’ Category
Data hungry mobile broadband users in the United States and UK could face hefty bills if they exceed their data allowance. Carrier after carrier has switched from unlimited mobile broadband data plans to tiered pricing. Sprint is the only carrier to still offer true unlimited broadband. But this just brings the United States in line with the UK where no providers offer truly unlimited broadband there, too. The 3 Mobile Max mobile broadband for £15.00 a month with an 18 month agreement has the highest data allowance available.
With mobile broadband speeds on the up, many people are seeing mobile broadband as a viable alternative to paying for a form of fixed broadband. And why not? The coverage area is constantly increasing and it is hard to beat the convenience of having internet wherever you go with next to no hassle. Modern smartphones even offer the ability to act as a mobile hotspot, routing your laptop’s Wi-Fi connection through the phone over 3G. That way, as long as your device supports Wi-Fi, you can provide it with a 3G connection, no router or software configuration necessary.
But in order to use a mobile broadband connection in place of more traditional wired broadband deals, you need a data plan with high data caps. While there is no true unlimited plan offered in the UK, there are several heavy usage plans. 3 Mobile Broadband has a heavy 15 Gb data plan for only £15.00 a month. For most people that will be enough. O2 offers an interesting twist on the unlimited data concept, having set up a series of Wi-Fi hotspots that have no data cap, as long as you are in range of them. Then their lower true mobile broadband plans may be able to cover your needs.
There is no ideal solution. Mobile broadband has come a long ways, but it is still extremely expensive to operate. In a couple years, the price should fall just like it did for wired broadband. Of course, we’ll have invented even more bandwidth intensive applications by then. Stay tuned for more cell phone advice.
Is the new Blackberry smartphone handset – the first with Blackberry OS 6 phone in Australia – a shining beacon for RIM, or just a flash in the pan?
The line between a personal phone and a business phone is blurring quicker than a chalk drawing in the rain and its apparent that RIM is paying attention. Whereas older BlackBerry models have traditionally screamed “professional” louder than a pinstripe suit, the newly launched Torch 9800 has a slightly different aesthetic.
In fact, the new handset has almost a “reverse mullet” feel – the party’s at the front and the business is at the back. Or at least there’s a full QWERTY keyboard waiting to slide down from behind the screen, with a very satisfying clunk. Speaking of the screen, despite the 480×360 res on the 3.2in HVGA display, it actually feel quite bright and crisp when used. The touch is pleasantly responsive and one actually wonders why RIM included the traditional BlackBerry track pad at all – it’s certainly not been used much in this office.
Despite the hidden keyboard, the Torch doesn’t feel overly thick or heavy, although it certainly doesn’t sport the svelte lines of certain other phones.
Starting up from a fresh install of the battery takes a bit over two minutes, but the Torch has cunningly disguised its hibernation mode as “powered down” so in normal use, the total time elapsed between hitting the power button and ready to rock and roll is actually 3.4 seconds.
Weirdly, the home screen doesn’t scroll side to side, but the applications pages do. This means you’re not getting the nice widget-style home screen functionality of an Android or Windows Phone 7. The 624MHz processor may not sound like much, but it works perfectly, with applications opening quickly and everything feeling remarkably smooth.
The new OS 6 is also quite enjoyable, although hardly a quantum leap from the old one in terms of look and feel. What changes there are however, are welcome with universal search across all messages, contacts, apps etc being a great addition for users.
In all, our first few hours with the Torch were pleasant, although hardly a life-changing revelation that would make us consign all other phones to the dustbin of history. But dedicated CrackBerry addicts will find a lot to like here.
The Torch is available exclusive on Optus for the immediate future, available for $0 on the $79-per-month plan. RIM has stated that the unit will also be available from Tesltra and VHA when the Optus exclusivity period ends.
The Sony Xperia Play is a handset that has been designed with the true gaming fan in mind. In fact the Sony Xperia Play’s controller promises to take gaming to the next level! The many games available to this handset make it an all round great smartphone experience.
Even though the rumours of the Sony Xperia Play materialising have been circulating for quite some time now, it is now finally here and the wait was certainly worth it!
This is basically a Playstation gaming experience in a phone and features a fully working Playstation style control pad. The user simply has to slide the handset apart in order to reveal the controller. When hidden the phone looks and feels like any other smartphone and offers an ample sized quality screen with touchscreen face.
This is certainly a device for those that prefer a bigger handset as in order to house the gaming side of things; the Sony Xperia Play has to be a little thicker in style.
All the usual features are positioned in a place where they won’t get in the way of the gamepad, nor will they distract the gamer from focusing on their game.
The Playstation controller itself is extremely well designed andfeatures the infamous D-Pad, which consists of the standard fourPlaystation buttons. It also however features another two additional paddles that lie at the end of the handset. The only difference to that of the Playstation controller and the phones game pad is the analog controller sticks. The Sony Xperia Play handset instead features two touch-sensitive trackpads.
All in all this is great handset for those that hate leaving their Playstation at home as now they can take it anywhere they go.
It is also a great option for those that travel a lot as the many games are an excellent way to pass the time!
To find out more information about this mobile phone visit Phones4U.