iOS 5 Could Bring More Graphics Driven UI Elements

We just mentioned that WWDC2011 will be happening in June. What we now hear is that iOS 5 could well be revealed at the conference although it might actually be not pushed out till September this year.

Some recent patents hint that Apple is working on making elements of the UI more graphical. What this means is that contacts could change from the plan scrolling text list to thumbnails of the people you want to call. The same could be said for music lists and other lists within the UI. [Read more…]

3DS Black Screen of Death Starts Appearing

The Nintendo 3DS launched a few days ago in the UK and it seems that reports of what is being described as a “black screen of death” are now appearing on line.

The error message, available below, says “An error has occurred. Hold down the POWER button to turn off the power, then turn it on and try again. If the problem persists, please contact your local customer support centre. For contact details, check the Operations manual or visit support.nintendo.com.” [Read more…]

Apple WWDC Scheduled for June 6 in SF

Apple has announced that WWDC2010 (Worldwide Developers Conference), will be going ahead on June 6. What we expect to see at the event is an announcement of the iPhone 5 (4GS) to the world, just like the iPhone 4 was announced last year.

The event will be held in San Franisco at Moscone West and will be running for five days in total. Information presented at the event will include details of iOS as well as Mac OS and in specific, the future of these operating systems. We expect Apple to announce iOS 5 at this event. [Read more…]

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 to get Android 2.3 Gingerbread

After believing that the Sony Ericsson X10 had been put away in terms of getting no more Android updates, we now hear, or surprisingly hear I should say, that the device will soon be getting Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Before we continue, note that this it the X10 only and not the other variations of the X10.

Back to the Android 2.3 update for the X10, we were told months ago that there would be no more updates beyond Eclair for this series of smartphones, but for various reasons, all covered here, we hear that SE has changed its mind and will be pushing the new update out either late Q2 or early Q3 this year. [Read more…]

Android 3.0 Honeycomb Source Code Not Getting Released Just Yet

Google has confirmed that it will not be releasing Android 3.0 Honeycomb to open source just yet. It is in the plans of Google to do that, but not just yet as they feel it isn’t ready and have more work to do on it.

Android 3.0, Honeycomb, was designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes and improves on Android favorites such as widgets, multi-tasking, browsing, notifications and customization. While we’re excited to offer these new features to Android tablets, we have more work to do before we can deliver them to other device types including phones. Until then, we’ve decided not to release Honeycomb to open source. We’re committed to providing Android as an open platform across many device types and will publish the source as soon as it’s ready.

[Read more…]

BlackBerry PlayBook to Support Android Apps

When RIM launch the BlackBerry PlayBook, it will be capable of running Android apps. This information comes from a press release sent out yesterday by RIM.

“The BlackBerry PlayBook is an amazing tablet. The power that we have embedded creates one of the most compelling app experiences available in a mobile computing device today,” said Mike Lazaridis, President and Co-CEO at Research In Motion. “The upcoming addition of BlackBerry Java and Android apps for the BlackBerry PlayBook on BlackBerry App World will provide our users with an even greater choice of apps and will also showcase the versatility of the platform.”

[Read more…]

iPad 2 Screen is Thinner but Breaks Less

When the first iPad 2 was taken apart, it was quickly noted that the glass was quite a bit thinner, 27% thinner to be precise. This led to some speculation that the iPad 2 would suffer with more screen breakages.

It seems though, after a bit of testing, that the screen could be just fine thanks to it being thin and a little more bendy than the original iPad 1 screen. The video below gives a demonstration of an iPad and iPad 2 screen being bent, beaten and generally used in a way not recommended by Apple. The second gen screen was just as tough as the original iPad screen in terms of breakages. [Read more…]

iPad 2 UK Shipping Begins in 2 to 3 Weeks

For those wanting to keep away from the iPad 2 queues tomorrow afternoon, it seems you’ll have an even longer wait than expected as the expected shipping time for the iPad 2 went online with in the last hour and the moment they went online, the dispatch time was 2 to 3 weeks.

Out of the 12 variations of the iPad 2 that are available, all of them have a shipping date of 2 to 3 weeks. Good news is that you can order now though and every model, black/white, 3G/WiFi only and all three capacities of each, is available to pre-order, but you’ll need to wait to get it.

It isn’t clear why Apple opted to open pre-orders on the early hours of the 25th other than trying to get more people in to stores, or perhaps due to known shortages of the new tablet device. [Read more…]

Microsoft “Where’s my phone update?” Info for WP7 Launched

Yesterday, Microsoft started rolling out the latest Windows Phone 7 update… the one that brings copy/paste to the relatively new smartphone platform. The problem is, is that not all people are receiving the update just yet. Yesterday we heard that those unlocked devices, ie, not sold from a carrier, are getting the updates right now. But, those buying through a carrier such as Orange in the UK were told they had to wait longer.

The “Where’s my phone update?” website has been launched so that users can know within 10 days or so, when the next WP7 update will be launching on their new smartphone…

We periodically release software updates that add new features to your phone or improve its performance. When an update is available, a message appears on your phone letting you know. But we understand that it’s hard to wait, and that many of you want a better sense of when to expect your update.

[Read more…]

Subsidised iPad 2 Coming to T-Mobile UK – £199

Tomorrow is March 25, which also means that the iPad 2 will be going on sale at Apple stores in the UK. We now hear that T-Mobile will also be selling the iPad 2, on contract, for £199.

There are two prices for the iPad 2 on T-Mobile with the first being £199 and available to existing customers and the second is £229 for new customers. The only model available is the 3G 16GB with the 32GB and 64GB models not being sold through T-Mobile. [Read more…]

Samsung LCD Strategy Outlined

Over the next few years, we will more than likely be seeing higher pixel density screens according to Samsung. By 2015, the company expects to have screens that have a higher pixel density of about 300 to 400 PPI which will be made available for tablets to use.

The slide show was presented at CTIA and explained that screens would see a density increase, while getting thinner and having better power requirements. Right now, a 24.8Wh battery could last around 6 hours with the next version (200-300PPI) lasting around 8 hours and then in 2015 the 300 to 400 PPI lasting around 10 hours. Each iteration will get thinner than the previous model. [Read more…]

HTC EVO 3D Announced

HTC has announced the HTC EVO 3D. The new EVO uses a glasses-free 3D effect to make images pop out of the screen. The 3D screen measures 4.3 inches and is in a QHD resolution of 540 x 960 pixels. It also uses capacitive touch.

The new smartphone uses a 1.2GHz dual-core processor. It has 1GB of internal storage and 1GB of RAM. The storage can be increased by microSD. The device has three cameras with a smaller front facing camera that can capture at 1.3 megapixels and two 5 megapixel cameras on the back. When capturing in 3D it captures at 2 megapixels, while in 2D it can capture at 5 megapixels. [Read more…]