Category: Android

BBM for your Android or iPhone. Are we bothered any more?

The mobile industry is incredibly fast and cut-throat. Microsoft learned that too slowly in my opinion, and the supposed launch of BBM for Android / iPhone yesterday showed yet again just how quickly things change. Earlier we heard that the BBM app was available. It turned out to …

HTC One tablet photos emerge… Or maybe not..

HTC have never really succeeded when it comes to tablets. The mildly successful HTC Flyer was getting long in the tooth when it got it’s update from Gingerbread to Honeycomb (Android 3.0), and there hasn’t been a lot to speak of since. This morning we spotted what appeared …

Sony Xperia M coming to Three

Three have just confirmed that they will be taking one of the latest Sony phones, the Xperia M on their UK network. For £149.99, customers can now get their hands on this device in store with online orders available from 11th October. Specifications include a 4 inch 480 …

Piper – Keeping your home secure and automating your life

Yes, another crowdfunding project, yes I should start ignoring these more but no, I’m not going to ignore this one. Put simply, it’s a home automation system and security device. You get some magical doo-hickeys to plug into your sockets and let you remotely switch stuff on or …

ThL W8s – Initial Impressions

I saw what appeared to be a cracking deal on a decent spec’d smartphone whilst surfing the web a couple of weeks ago, took the plunge and ordered directly from China. I’d never seen or heard of the brand-name ThL or the W8s phone before and to be …

Case Mate Android Mike case for HTC One X – review

Case Mate recently offered to send me a selection of their cases for review, one of which I’ve done – the gold sparkly Glam iPhone case. Which is it’s great case with a fun look. I also got the Android Mike for the HTC One X. It’s another …

Xbox Music for Android and iOS should be available today

Isn’t it great when a company follows through and actually does what they said they would? A year ago….. It was about this time last year when Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 were announced and along with them came Xbox Music, which was Microsoft’s Music streaming service, …

Sony Xperia Z1 with DSC-QX10 Smart Shot first look

I’ve finally got my grubby mits on Sony’s newest releases, so I thought I’d share my pleasures (and pains) with you lovely people. Sony pre-release review models are notoriously hard to come by, especially when you want them with some accessories, but with a little sweet talking I …

Asda Mobile switches to use the EE

Virtual Network Operator, Asda Mobile, used to use the Vodafone network. However, from the end of October, they’ll be switching across to EE. Their offers, from what we can make out, will remain the same. They do some SIM-only deals at the moment, but sadly the amount of …

Music Maker Jam for Android is now available

Today is a day to rejoice Android users, you can now make odd sounding music using your phone or tablet. Yay. Music Maker Jam has a pretty premise: Music Maker Jam, the free new music maker app from MAGIX, makes it easy to start playing with music and mixing …

Say Hello to the Doro Liberto 810

The Doro Liberto 810 is apparently “The world’s most liberating smartphone“, which is quite a bold claim from Doro. Doro AB is a Swedish public company formed in 1974.  It released its pioneering ‘easy-to-use’ mobile phone in 2007. Until recently their phones were flip style feature phones and …

Nexus 5 specs arrive at the FCC?

If you watch the unveil of the KitKat statue (if that’s the right word for it), someone at the Googleplex was spotted using an unknown Nexus branded device. That device was presumed to be the Nexus 5 and now it’s arrived at the FCC for regulatory approval. Luckily …

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 + Gear demo video

At launch pretty much the only device that will be compatible with the Galaxy Gear will be the Galaxy Note 3 and what better way to demo both devices than in a 18 minute video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fo5x7ZIPCM

Smartwatches – Just a plaything or the next essential item?

A smartwatch isn’t high up on my shopping list if I’m honest. For me, I’ve got into the habit of checking my phone for the date or time. I simply never wear a watch, but there’s no denying the fact that many still value them. The Sony Smartwatch …

BBC iPlayer for Android updated – Now supports downloads!

The BBC iPlayer app for Android has just had an update, bringing support for downloads through the app and also Android 4.3 support. Yay my new Nexus 7 will be happy. It’s nice to see the BBC Android app get updated with some of the features available in …

Galaxy Note 3 confirmed for EE, plus the Smartwatch too

Following news that Three were about to pick up the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, we’re now hearing that EE will be doing the same. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will be available on either 4G or 3G, and you can pre-order on a range of “4GEE” price plans …

Introducing the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 [video]

Yesterday evening we were introduced to the Galaxy Note 3, super high spec, full of software features and a faux leather backplate. Samsung during the night have published a promo video for the Note 3. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylP4DDwXZb8

Samsung announce the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition

Yes Samsung have branded a device that is to be released in 2013 the “2014 edition”. The Galaxy Note range has more than one model these days, the biggest being the Note 10.1 and as is the current trend to deal with badly planned naming conventions, they’ve just …

Three confirm Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Earlier on Three confirmed the new Sony Xperia Z1, and now they just confirmed the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will also be heading their way. As we put in our earlier post on the subject, the specifications on the new device are pretty impressive – with the Note …

Samsung announce the Galaxy Gear SmartWatch

I remember my first ever watch, I was about six, it was an analog Sekonda, it couldn’t even tell me the date, but I was happy. Having important information on hand was impressive, I’ve worn a watch ever since. I guess I feel a little lost without a …

Samsung announce the Galaxy Note 3

A few years ago mention the word phablet and you’d get blank looks, mention it these days and you’ll still get blank looks, but mention it to a tech type person and they’ll either smile or start going on about big pockets etc. The original Galaxy Note started …

Sony announce the DSC QX-10 and the DSC QX-100 Smart Shots

When I first saw some odd looking clip on camera lenses for phones I thought it was an elaborate hoax by someone, yeah they sounded cool and I could no doubt think up a scenario where I could use one. Then came the leaks, we saw image after …

Sony announce the Xperia Z1

The Sony Xperia Z1 has been one of those devices that we’ve slowly found at every last detail, be it specs, accessories, press releases or even traditional Mr Blurrycam pictures of it. It has been a leaky few months for the Xperia Z1. Over in Berlin at IFA …

Three confirmed to take Sony Xperia Z1

With Sony just having announced the new Xperia Z1, Three have already stated they will be stocking this new phone when it goes on sale here in the UK Specs of the Z1 make it a true flagship with a truly top of the line list found below. …

Sony Xperia Z1 promo video leaks just before launch

Not long to go now. We’ll soon have the official announcement but, just to keep you interested, here’s a leaked video showing the Z1 on action. We’ve already got the full Sony Xperia Z1 specs and press release, so all we need now is for someone to actually …

Feel secure with SOS Stay Safe

Phones are bought for various reasons, but a lot of the time it’s for safety reasons. Whether it be for your son, daughter or your wife, it’s a way to contact and be contacted. Apps such as SOS Stay Safe add to this with safety features a-plenty. It’ll …

Ogre Jump for Android shows us it doesn’t always have to involve zombies

You don’t get enough Ogres in games these days, it’s always just zombies and more zombies. Ogre Jump doesn’t have any zombies at all, yay. What Ogre Jump is though, is a never ending running, jumping, swerving, coin collecting addictive game. The developers describe it as follows: Description …

The day Google destroyed the Microsoft announcement.. with a chocolate bar

Feet up, watching TV last night, I couldn’t help notice something. Until early evening, the tech websites, news channels and Twittersphere was awash with one thing – the fact that Microsoft had splashed £4.6 billion on the Nokia mobile business. £4.6 BERILLIONNN That’s a lot of money. A …

A Limited Edition HTC One Mini – Oooh yes please….

Change.  Some people hate it, some people love it. HTC are a major proponent of change and together with British fashion designer David Koma they have produced a collection of limited edition HTC Mini handsets. The designs are inspired by the idea of change – something that both David …

Lookout to Partner With Samsung in security tie up

There have long been misgivings around the security of Android and when placed up against the closed systems of Blackberry and the locked down iOS it can appear that security has been an afterthought for Google’s OS. Whilst many issues have been addressed in the latest incantations of …

Nookie, now reduced in price – grab yourself a bargain

Nooky? Nookie? Nook? Geddit? OK, now that the smut has been passed over, lets get on with the news. While Amazon seem to try and make as much noise as possible around their Android offerings, Barnes and Noble by contrast just quietly get on with things. Now however, it …

New Kindle Paperwhite adds faster CPU, better screen and more

A device with a paper-like screen and an 8 week battery life? Yep, that’ll be the Amazon Kindle. Today the 6th generation device has been announced and, although it won’t let you play lots of whizzy Android games, it’ll let you read books for absolutely ages without straining …

Sony Smart Shots video shows how to use the damn things

There’s been just as much talk about the Sony DSC-QX10 and DSC-QX100 Smart Shot camera attachments as there has been about their new flagship phone, the Z1 (formally the Honami i1). This is mainly due to their innovative nature, but also speculation on how exactly one would use …

Things are melting at Google as Nexus 5 leaks

In a day of announcements and leaks Google rounded things off just nicely by releasing a video of the Kit Kat statue unveiling. Of course, it was an “accident” that a Nexus 5 appeared in the video. It was being held by a Google employee right next to …

Sony Xperia Z1 leaks all over the place

The Sony Xperia Z1 has been a long time coming, we’ve seen many many leaks over the last few months, with a newer, faster, better version of the Xperia Z slated to appear. The Xperia Z1 has been accidentally leaked all over the shop after a press release …

Google teases next version of Android – 4.4 KitKat

Yes, you read that headline correctly. Google has just announced that its next version of Android, 4.4, will be called KitKat®. Of course, the Android team are famed for naming  releases after different desserts – we’ve had in  Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, and …

Oppo introduces 10% student discount on the Find 5

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Oppo here at Coolsmartphone. Whilst we wait for more news on the Oppo N1, Oppo’s European retailer, Oppo Style, have announced that they are going to be offering a 10% discount to students purchasing the Oppo Find 5. All you …

Voxle is a new location based social network

The world around us is an interesting place, with many people and places existing without me ever realising. Voxle aims to end that and let you interact with things around you. The developers describe it as follows: Voxle is your new location based social network. Share your location …