Author: Leigh Geary
Smartphones seem to be getting ever-more expensive. It’s something that has created a new breed of manufacturers that are actively targeting the market with well-spec’d handsets at a competitive price. However, many people are still going for the leading and the most well-known brands. Samsung, Apple, LG, Sony …
Today, here in the UK, it’s time to vote. Have you decided which party you’re going to vote for? If so, how exactly did you come to your conclusion? Perhaps now, more than ever, your decision won’t have been made after reading the manifesto of each party. If …
Virgin Media are having problems with their data / broadband network for some home internet customers today. No, it’s not the long-running on-demand and catch-up issues this time. Oh no. It appears that their DNS servers have gone a bit Pete Tong and sites like eBay, Netflix and …
This will probably only be affecting three or four people, but it’s yet another step in the road for the removal of Windows on a phone and Microsoft support for the Windows Phone operating system or MS-provided apps. Thurrott is reporting on this Skype support page which details …
We’re currently trying to get a list of the outlets involved in this press announcement. Whether it’ll involve tabloid websites is unclear at the moment, however the network has stated that new global rules are now in operation to stop Vodafone adverts appearing “within outlets focused on creating …
It might just be me, but I’m starting to feel that the BlackBerry ship has sailed. The BlackBerry Work app software has taken over to some degree, and you can get secure email and web access on iPhones and Android devices that way. But, if you’re still craving …
OK. I’ve caved. The PR people for DOOGEE have mailed me each and every single day for months now. The daily updates range from orchestrated “leaks” and “rumours”, so it’s difficult to know when an actual handset has been announced because I’m buried in their mails. Today though, …
Want the squeezy HTC U11 network unlocked, on the giffgaff where you can adjust your monthly cost as you require? Head to giffgaff where they’re stocking the “Amazing Silver” or “Sapphire Blue” version right now. We’ve got full details on the HTC U11 so, when you’ve checked the …
We spoke to EE CEO Marc Allegra back in March and we were intrigued to know whether the recent BT acquisition would mean any EE branding changes. At the time, it was a definite no, and BT seemed content to run EE as a separate brand. After all, …
Somebody mentioned eSports to me recently and, whilst I write about smartphones daily, I’ll confess to not knowing a great deal about it. Last week, in Copenhagen, the Unibet Copenhagen Open gave visitors the chance to play against these eSports stars. VR played a big role, with the evolution …
Want to get a shiny new Qualcomm 835-powered Sony Xperia XZ Premium? If you’re looking to get one with Three, you can pre-order it right now. It’s available to buy from June 2nd. Three are offering the handset on their “Advanced Plans”, which means that you can get the …
Yesterday we took a look at the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus and yes, those are the “hot” phones at the moment. You’ll no doubt see the S8 advertised no TV, on billboards and pretty much everywhere else. However, I have a certain love for the Huawei …
The Nokia 3310, even with its slightly newer skin, might seem a bit “old tech” for some. However, it could be just the thing for your summer holiday. For just £39 (when purchased with £10 “Big Value Bundle”), you won’t mind losing it on the beach or out …
Hello people. I’ll let you into a secret and I’ll also get some admin out of the way. I’ve borrowed these two phones from the people at O2. Trouble is, I’ve had them for a bit longer than I originally intended, so I have to pimp O2 a …
Last time I went to the airport, I was properly obsessed with some big over-ear headphones which had noise cancelling technology built in. I put them on, pressed the switch on the side and – instantly – the noise of the airport vanished. It’s all down to something …
You’re at home. You’re struggling with slow broadband. The reality of “Superfast internet” is either a flaky ADSL connection or, if you’re properly unlucky, old-school dial-up access. Some are lucky. Some can get fibre to the cabinet or cable broadband access, but for the rest it’s a super-slow …
Over at telefoonabonnement.nl (Google Translate) there’s some interesting news about some newly uncovered benchmark scores. These have popped up on Geekbench and, by the looks of the results, this is going to be one very quick handset. The report shows that it’s faster than a Galaxy S8. The …
From what I can pick up amongst friends and relatives, there seems to be a growing freedom to switch networks. Some, though, still renew year after year with the same provider and grab a newly upgraded phone. Some still perceive the cancellation process – that phone call the …
Our local health centre is seriously under strain. A number of local GP surgeries have closed as doctors have retired and, with more houses being built an no additional infrastructure being put in, there’s a few battered portacabins and an engaged tone when you call up. In 2017, …
Both EE and Mobiles.co.uk have got in touch because the all-new HTC U11 (full details here) is now available to pre-order. First, and EE is obviously bigging-up their 4G network. The U11 is available on a range of 4GEE plans, and we’ve picked out a deal giving an …
For those who aren’t based on the UK, the artist simply known as “Banksy” is an anonymous activist who displays street art and political messages in graffiti across the country. His stenciled images usually attract high valuations too. Just a few hours ago, Banksy shared this tweet. He’s …
Yes, I’m being sent drones to review now. What I know about drones can be written on the back of a stamp. I’ve had a play with some cheaper ones in the past and, usually, they take off and then crash. The end. My flying skills aren’t the …
Virtual Network Operator, Sky Mobile, is doing a bit of a deal if you grab the Sony Xperia XZ Premium. Pre-order one and you’ll bag yourself an extra 10GB of data, which will drop into your “Sky Piggybank” and can be used over three years. Sky Piggybank? That’s …
Remember Mobile World Congress? I certainly do. Let’s be honest, we here at Coolsmartphone don’t have the same budget as The Times or The Guardian, so I ended up stopping in a camper van, parked up in a local street. It was definitely an … experience. However, we …
We review one of these home helpers recently and, although it still has a little way to go (I still find I have to rephrase the odd request), it impressed me greatly. Now, although the magical Google Home speaker will sit on your fridge and connect to your …
OK, first things you need to know. This, the Wileyfox Swift 2 Plus, is £189 on the Wileyfox website or (as I type) £164.99 on Amazon. SIM free in both places of course. It has a 5″ 1280×720 screen at 296 PPI with 2.5d Corning Gorilla Glass 3. …
Trust me, it’s not a scary thing. Just recently I had a relative ask why I had two WiFi networks at home. I explained that one was a VPN router, and offered me privacy and security. That, if I’m being honest, made their eyes glaze over a little. …
Got yourself a HTC phone at the moment? If you have then there’s sadly not enough of you. Earlier in the year I took a look at the current HTC phones – namely the HTC U Play and HTC U Ultra. They’re properly gorgeous things. Polished, well designed …
I’ve gone through some phases with my smartphones. I switched over to Android with the HTC Hero. It was then a succession of HTC handsets before I switched to a Samsung Galaxy device, but since then I’ve been firmly glued to an LG device. The LG G3 was …
Here in the UK things will be kicking off in just 30 minutes. However, there’s again no physical launch event and no hordes of reports. Instead, no matter where to are in the world, you can watch the brand new HTC handset getting unveiled here on the HTC …
Now, I’ll admit, I’m a penny pincher at times. If there’s a cheaper way of doing something, even if it’s a bit geeky, I’ll give it a go. Stick with me on this one, because it involves something that Virgin have just announced which I think is a …
A few days ago I was logging into my Virgin Media account. However, I got a bit distracted by an advert and ended up on the Virgin Business website instead. Why was I distracted? Well, I’ll show you… Yes. £30 a month for an internet connection which goes …
We were big fans of the MSQRD app when it first came out. It’s quite a fun little gadget which, with the aid of your phone camera, puts masks and hats on your face via augmented reality cleverness. Now there’s another one to add to the collection, it’s …
Remember me mentioning Huawei P10 cases?. The people at Terrapin got in touch to highlight their P10 cases, and we have a couple here today. They’ve got a range of P10 cases and some for the P10 Plus too. There’s wallet cases, shock-resistant cases and gel cases, and …
Wanna know what’s good? The fact that, on June 15th, you don’t need to worry about using your mobile when you travel out of the UK and into the rest of Europe. Now sure, we don’t know what is truly going to happen when Brexit kicks in, but …
You know Three. They’re the network who are exclusively ranging the Lenovo P2. We reviewed the P2 and were properly impressed. Three are also the network covering 98% of the population and carry 35% of the UK’s mobile data. They’re also famous for their Feel At Home offering. …
I’ve been taking a look at any mention of this company here on the site. The nearest I can find is this review of a battery pack they made some years ago. STK actually make phones too. Today they’ve announced a partnership with Carphone Warehouse, who will be …
Here’s something we haven’t reviewed in a while. A phone holder, for your car. For a long time I’ve had one of those that hangs from the air vents, but (as all men know) after a bit of use it goes a bit floppy and gets worn out. …
Welcome people. Welcome to yet another very random review. Years ago I started reviewing smartphones and now, now I’m getting LED lights and all sorts of other random gadgets. Today we’ve got a sound level meter and, well, it does just what you’d expect it to really. On …
I’ve used the internet for quite a number of years now. In fact, I remember BBS (Bulletin Board Systems) before that and the noisy, clunky, temperamental modems that got us connected. Fast-forward a few years and I remember working on an IT contract in Lancashire which involved installing …
