Category: Android

Acer Cloud Mobile now up for pre-order

Earlier on in the year Acer announced a few different Android phones. The highest spec phone announced was the the Cloud Mobile. It is going to be the first device to use the new Acer Cloud service. It is also probably the highest spec Acer I have ever …

Black Galaxy SIII rumours seem to be true after all

Retailer MobileFun have announced availability and a price for the rumoured black Galaxy SIII. That pretty much means the rumours are true. You can’t really say much more about the Galaxy SIII. Another colour will certainly appeal to people who don’t like the current white or blue models. …

Acer Liquid Glow, budget Ice Cream Sandwich phone now available

Earlier on in the year Acer announced a budget Ice Cream Sandwich device called the Liquid Glow and it was due to be released in a selection of colours. Retailer Expansys now has the Black and White models in stock and the price is definitely a wallet friendly …

Chameleon Launcher Beta – Review

Over the last few months we have mentioned Chameleon Launcher quite a bit. From seeing the initial rumours on XDA, to seeing some concept drawings, a few leaked videos, the whole Kickstarter funding thing and then the whole “it’s available on the Play Store” thing most recently. You …

BBC Top Gear News App Now Available For All Platforms

At the risk of sounding sexist, ask a man what his main interests are and outside of women and beer the answer for the vast majority would be gadgets and cars. Hopefully we here at Coolsmartphone bring you your fill of phone related gadgets and now we can …

Acer Iconia A110 – N7 beater?

Acer’s A110 tablet could be an interesting alternative to the beloved Nexus 7 tablet. The spec is identical with a 7″ screen, Tegra 3 CPU and Jelly Bean confirmed to be on the way. With 8GB and priced at £179 at launch it doesn’t look too different. Where …

Apple Tried To Settle With Samsung Before Going To Court

One of the many repeated mantras surrounding lawsuits is “why do they not just settle”. IN the case of Apple vs Samsung it’s been revealed that Apple did at least try but Samsung did not agree with the terms. The proposed settlement can be seen here To break …

If you own an iPhone or a Galaxy SIII look away

Why do people try to scratch screens? Why do they do drop test? Why do they try to blend stuff? All are modern day mysteries, the latest video I’ve come across shows a rather excited guy open up an iPhone and a Galaxy SIII and then attach them …

Samsung Exynos 5 Dual processor details released!

The Exynos 5  is the new processor from Samsung and this is one very powerful System on Chip! The new chipset features a pair of Cortex-A15 cores for a new level of mobile power. The SoC itself is built on 32nm production techniques and this particular version rocks …

Hatchi: A Tale of Life, Love and Death

Remember my post announcing the release of Hatchi for Android? Well, thanks to PortablePixels, I’ve been given access to a review copy of Hatchi. On first launch, you are presented with a rather simple page inviting you to “Tap to Start” – nothing fancy but it does the …

Android 4.0.4 Update heading to the HTC One X

Well, it’s a little later than Samsung and Motorola, but HTC have announced that the One X will receive a similar software update today. The update, which will bring you up to version 4.0.4, also delivers a new version of HTC Sense (probably 4.1) plus “memory and platform …

New iPhone Nano SIM rumours

With a potential announcement only weeks away, the New iPhone (don’t call it 5!) rumours are hotting up. The latest one is that Apple’s latest and greatest will feature the new Nano SIM standard. Leaked pictures obtained by French site nowhereelse.fr appear to show a smaller SIM tray …

Samsung Galaxy S2 – Jelly Bean Alpha CM10

Ever since Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) was announced, I hoped it would be successfully ported to my beloved Galaxy S2. There are rumours that Samsung is working on an official version, which could be out by Christmas. If you cant wait that long, the amazing TeamHacksung Devs over …

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is getting cheaper as the weeks go by

Over the last few weeks we have seen the price of my current favourite device the Galaxy Nexus slowly dropping. Today Expansys have dropped the price a bit more to £319.99 for an EU model with adapter in Titanium Silver. It is a great price if you want …

Google Translate – Now including signs

The updated version of Google Translate will now let you hold your Android phone in front of signs for instant translation into a vast array of languages. The update also includes instant translation as you type, but being able to snap signs and then brush over the text …

Huawei WS320 WLAN Repeater review

A WiFi Extender? Are we really going to review it? Yes we are. Last week I received an email like many others, advertising the Huawei WS320 WLAN Repeater. At first I went to delete it, I really couldn’t be bothered to get one and spend hours banging my …

Sony Tablet S gets a minor maintenance update.

This morning when you woke up your much loved Sony Tablet S might have had a software update waiting for it if you’re based in the UK. The update promises to bring stability fixes and optimizations, but unfortunately it’s still Android ICS 4.0.3. The update is only 9mb …

Fancy a free HTC One X for only £15.50 per month?

Looking for an upgrade? Looking to cut down on those monthly outgoings? Are you thinking that those high-end smartphones are out of your reach? Think again. I’ve just stumbled across this rather epic deal – a HTC One X on T-Mobile for just £15.50 per month, and you …

Get that Jelly Bean Feel easily

This weekend I met a guy called Graham Smith. He’s a logo, icon designer and all-round top bloke. He pointed me at Holo Launcher HD – a free Android app for giving your handset that “Jelly Bean look”. It’s more than just a skin though. This has a …

HTC in troubled waters

Way back in 2002 I bought my first ever smartphone. Powered by a new Microsoft OS it was built by a company no-one had really heard of – HTC. The paint came off and dust used to collect behind the screen. There was even a bolt-on camera that …

Huawei Ascend P1 – Review 2

Those regular eagle eyed readers out there will have noted that this phone has already been reviewed by our editor in chief Leigh Geary, so instead of rehashing what he has already done, this will give you a different slant on this slim powerhouse. Hardware The phone is …

Spy on the mechanics with Audi Cam

A couple of months ago I took my car to an Audi dealer for repair. The £20 job quickly turned into a £700 repair bill and, no matter how many times it was explained to me, I couldn’t fully understand what all the techy mechanical stuff meant. Now …

HTC Endeavour C2 specs leaked

It looks like HTC are gearing up to release/announce an updated version of the One X. Tech magazine and website Stuff have a source who has given them some details on the Endeavour C2. (the picture above is a One X by the way) Here are the key …

Ouya to come with XBMC on board

Recently we have heard a lot about Ouya and their huge popularity and the record breaking Kickstarter funding request. Well XBMC, the media player streaming service, have announced that they will be working with Ouya to ensure that XBMC works well on the Ouya platform. Regardless, we are …

Kodak are now going to sell their patents instead

Instead of suing people with them that is. Recently Kodak has been struggling. They used to be known for making camera film, cameras, digital cameras, printing equipment and no doubt some other stuff. More recently though they have been known for making budget digital cameras and budget printers. Neither …

Samsung handsets receiving Android 4.0.4

Just this morning we heard that the Motorola Xoom had updated itself to Android 4.0.4. It seems like other handsets are getting in on the action too. We’re hearing that the Samsung Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Note have received the “stability upgrade” and we’d be interested to hear …

Samsung Galaxy Note Vehicle Dock Kit review

We all know quite how big the Samsung Galaxy Note is. A car dock for such a beast is also going to have to be pretty sizeable. When the Vehicle Dock arrived I was shocked, the box was massive, what on earth had I ordered? Luckily upon opening …

UK Motorola Xoom receives an update

We mentioned earlier that some Motorola Xoom tablets were getting updated with Jelly Bean. In the meantime, we’re also hearing that Android 4.0.4 is being pushed onto other versions of the Xoom – mainly UK WiFI only versions by the looks of it. Andrew Farquhar and John Bairner …

Guess which company just made millions from Android?

Go on. Guess who’s just earned themselves $792 million? Who has just bagged themselves over £507 million in only one quarter thanks to Android? Microsoft. OK, you may have guessed that one. Microsoft have always made money thanks to the royalties that Android has to pay for Microsoft-held …

Speed boost for the HTC One X thanks to leaked Sense 4.1 and new ROM

Want some more “zing” from your HTC One X? Well, if you don’t mind busting your warranty, losing the support from your network and potentially making your shoes explode – the new HTC One maXimus ROM. It includes a leaked version of HTC Sense 4.1 – current ROMs …

Planning a break? Keep an eye on your phone.

I’m just sitting back in the office chair after visiting the Olympic Games in London. It’s a spectacular event, filled with pride and happiness. Down in the London Underground things seemed to be coping well too and it was filled with tourists visiting the various events. However, I …

New Hands Free Traffic App with Data Supplied By The Highways Agency

For those that are constantly on the road, the Highways Agency has reached an agreement to feed up-to-date traffic information from England’s motorways and major A roads into a new hands-free app for smartphones.  The app from Information Logistics Inc automatically updates travel advisories based on your location …

Galaxy S3 to get Jelly Bean in September?

    A post over at Sam Mobile claims to have learned of the timescales Samsung currently have in mind for updating devices such as the Galaxy S3 and S2 and also the Galaxy Note. The post gives the following timescales Galaxy S III – End Q3 begin Q4Galaxy …

Galaxy Note 10.1 Available this month

I’ve seen a number of sites stating that Samsung have just “announced” the Galaxy Note 10.1. Actually, they announced the thing back in February and we’ve already had the full hands-on treatment, so we don’t really need to show you the press shots. There’s already a video demo …

Samsung posts demo video of the Note 10.1

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 was originally announced back at MWC and seems to have been stuck in perpetuity ever since. Well, Samsung has now posted a video on one of their official YouTube channels which demos the features of the Note 10.1. Sadly the video is computer …

London 2012 – Can you report using just a smartphone?

Just a few days ago I set myself a challenge. Using only a smartphone, would it be possible to run a website, updating posts, answering emails and responding to tweets? Is it then possible to go mobile, reporting on the biggest event happening right now in London? Snapping …

Free Galaxy Tab with selected TVs

If you’re about to buy a big-screen TV to enjoy the Olympics on, check it this promotion from Samsung. Right now they’re giving away a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 when you buy a Series 7 and 8 LED Television or 51″ and 64″ Series 8 Plasma Television. There’s …