Category: Android

HTC Desire Z – Just £265 !

The HTC Desire Z is an excellent device. Our recent review pointed out the rather excellent slide-out QWERTY keyboard, fast boot and 5 megapixel camera. Amazingly Amazon are selling the Desire Z for just £265 – that’s unlocked and with free delivery. That, I have to say, is …

Samsung Galaxy S II – Pictures and example videos

Want some up-close shots of the Samsung Galaxy S II ? Well, if our photos from back in February weren’t enough, we’ve now added these extra shots of the handset we have on loan from the lovely people at Clove. I’m using it fairly heavily at the moment …

CyanogenMod 7’s Triumph: Over 200,000 Downloads

The aftermarket Android OS, CyanogenMod 7, has surpassed 200,000 downloads. In case you didn’t know, CyanogenMod is a popular method of ensuring that your Android device is running the latest version, as well as adding in some cool new customisations and features. It’s like having stock Android on …

Bargain Basement – The View Quest 8″ Tablet

OK, this tablet was kicking around the recent Gadget Show exhibition in Birmingham. It’s the ViewQuest 8″ Android Slate and costs less than £200. Actually a lot less, you can get it for £154 on Amazone. This, unfortunately, is the best image we have. There’s even a 5″ …

QFS (Quick File Share) – In Depth

Over the past few weeks I have been getting to know QFS (Quick File Share), a simple app designed to make sharing files off your phone much easier. The basic idea is to be able to choose a file off the phone and share it (even password protected) via SMS, …

Where is Android’s iPod Touch?

Although I’ve been an Android user for nearly two years now I’ve had an iPod Touch for around six months and use it every day. I bought it mainly because I wanted a new gadget and thought it’d be a good way to try out iOS and get …

Sony Ericsson announces new generation of Xperia Mini phones [UPDATED]

Like your Sony Ericsson Android handsets nice and small? Then you’ll be pleased to know that a couple of images of some new Xperia Mini phones have materialised on Sony Ericsson’s press site. The new devices sport Android 2.3 Gingerbread with Sony Ericsson’s custom modifications, as well as …

Samsung Galaxy S II on test

The Samsung Galaxy S II / GT-I9100. Call it what you will, it’s ruddy quick. Equipped with a dual-core 1.2GHz chip it’s already blown away most of the competition with benchmark results like this. The specs are all very decent indeed. That large 4.3″ 480×800 pixel super AMOLED …

Xperia PLAY on O2 – Now arriving in June

O2 hit a few niggles with their Xperia PLAY and decided to iron out some bugs first. They’ve now announced that the phone will be arriving at the start of June. Although other networks are already selling this gaming handset, O2 seem to have found some bugs and …

HTC Desire HD & Incredible S getting Gingerbread now

HTC have started the roll out of the Android 2.3 or Gingerbread update to existing HTC Desire HD and Incredible S handsets. This will arrive as an OTA update, so keep an eye on your phone if you have one of these devices.   Link – Engadget

HTC Sensation available for pre-order on Vodafone

The HTC Sensation, announced last month, is now available for pre-order on Vodafone. It’s free with plans costing £35 per month (2 year contract). For your money you’ll also get 100 minutes, 500 texts and 500MB of internet browsing. It’s not The all-new HTC Sensation has a 1.2Ghz …

Samsung Galaxy S2 Now On Three

Three have just launched the Samsung Galaxy S2 and as always released a blog video giving you some information about the phone and what you can expect The link posted on Twitter which points to the Samsung section of the website at the time of writing this does …

Motorola ATRIX arriving tomorrow on Orange

So, the Motorola Atrix then. Orange are pushing this one quite a bit, and rightfully so. Launching tomorrow, the Atrix can quickly change from a phone to a Netbook or PC. As per our earlier story the device will be free on £35 p/m plans over 24 months. …

New tough smartphone – by Casio

This rough and tough Android-powered phone will soon be coming to the USA on Verizon. It’s made by Casio – a brand which is normally associated with watches and calculators. Named the “Commando”, this is both waterproof and impact-proof with Gorilla glass, large (and loud) front speakers, tactile …

Coolsmartphone Recommended Android App – Desktop Visualizer

Android customization is a huge topic, there are so many different apps that let you change a different parts of your phone. Desktop Visualizer lets you create shortcuts for programs in a variety of different sizes. The basic idea behind it is to create 1×1 shortcuts to run …

Galaxy S II gets £499.99 price-tag on Three Pay As You Go

Dan has just fired over this picture of the Samsung Galaxy S II sitting within the latest Three catalogue. The S II is a very potent device. Powered by a dual-core CPU it has an 8 megapixel around the back, 1.3 megapixel up the front. Whilst O2 are …

EXCLUSIVE!: Carphone Warehouse Price LG Tab At £799

Exclusive breaking news from CoolSmartPhone. Carphone Warehouse website have listed the new LG Optimus Tab – that new 3D tablet announced back at Mobile World Congress in February – but with a hefty price to pay! The shocking price tag of £799 is way more expensive than the …

Google Rolling Out Video Chat

Google are now rolling out an update for Google Talk which will allow free video chat over both WiFi and 3G/4G data connection. Google have a video below explaining more detail on how it will work.  This will be launching on the Nexus S first with other Android …

Huawei begins legal action against ZTE

I know what you’re thinking.. this is all starting to get a bit crazy now. Everyone seems to be filing lawsuits against everyone else in the mobile market right now. Huawei have just fired a shot across Chinese rival ZTE, with Chief Legal Officer Sony Liuping stating that… …

O2 Offering up the Galaxy S II for just £399

Looking for the Samsung Galaxy S II ? O2 are selling it for £399 on Pay & Go. that’s cheaper than Play.com (£499), Amazon (£499) and Carphone Warehouse (£495). If you’re interested in the S II, check out our hands-on video. This is the second item we’ve seen …

Google Docs in action

Google have released a Google Docs app for Android users. It’ll let you create, edit and upload documents on the go and everything gets stored in your Google cloud. You can also take snaps of documents and use OCR (optical character recognition) to turn photos into text. Heck, …

Official VNC Viewer now just £2.99

Remember the official VNC Viewer we reviewed? It’s now even cheaper. You can buy the app for just £2.99 but be quick, it’s for a limited period. The official app is normally £5.99 and is available for both iOS and Android. Links – Earlier story – Official VNC …

Tesco now selling the Dell Streak for just £199

If you need some milk, pop down to Tesco. While you’re there, check out the Dell Streak. The unlocked version is now available for just £199, which is a big drop on the initial £399 and then £319.20 price-tags. We’ve not had chance to test this particular device …

Sony Announce S1 & S2 Tablets

Sony have just announced two new Android tablets, one looking like a traditional tablet and the other looking very much like a Nintendo DS with dual screen design.  The full press release with images has been released and can be found below. Sony Announces Optimally Designed “Sony Tablet” …

CyanogenMod… What’s all the fuss?

In the New Year, I decided to take a nose dive into custom ROMs for my Desire.  Oh we had been getting along just great for a while, but I realised I needed more… Wanted more.  It needed to be faster, and easier to use and not as …

Dropin for Android – automatically sync your photos to your Dropbox

I’ve been meaning to give Dropin a mention for a while now. It’s a great little app which provides some much needed functionality that I’ve always thought the native Dropbox app should have had from the start. Dropin automatically syncs all your photos and videos from your phone …

LG G2X to get Gingerbread ‘soon’

T-Mobile USA tweeted that G2X owners won’t have long to wait for Gingerbread to be released for the phone. This significance of this is that the G2x is the American version of the LG Optimus 2X and is pretty well an identical phone, meaning the euro market should …

Android Tablet App: Tweetcomb

As more and more developers get their hands on an Android tablet running Honeycomb, we will see, and are starting to see more tablet-dedicated applications. Tweetcomb is one such application, which focuses on the social medium, Twitter. Tweetcomb is the brainchild of Chris Stewart (Check out his Twitter …

LG Optimus 2X first impression.

So, after much deliberation I finally made the jump and bought a replacement for my much loved and trusty Nexus one – An LG Optimus 2X. The decision was actually quite easy, it had to be ‘next generation’ dual core powered, have an unlockable bootloader and ideally the developers and …

Evidence That Your Incredible S Will Get Gingerbread

When phone companies say they will release a particular software upgrade, particularly with Android, there are a few occasions when it simply doesn’t happen, or is terribly delayed. Recently, the US-only Samsung Fascinate just received an upgrade to Android 2.2 Froyo, many months late. The recently unveiled HTC …

QFS (Quick File Share) – First Look

For this week I have been sent QFS or Quick File Share. It’s a very basic application for sharing your files on your phone with anyone. Here is the first look video, the full review will be along next week. Also I would like to mention that the …

My view of Google’s step to gain control of Android skinning.

Since the start, Android has always been on the forefront of becoming the largest open source OS. This was to give manufacturers the chance to skin the platform. But, now it seems to be changing. During the last month, sources have provided us information that all is about …

first look: Go Launcher EX

We have seen so many launchers in the android market, it’s much to hard for you to find the right one to catch your eye. Some are visually appealing and some are useful for your needs. I have found a launcher that puts both into the perspective and …

Duel accepted. Samsung to sue Apple

Just days after Apple filed a lawsuit against Samsung, now Samsung are returning the favour. Today Samsung have said that the Apple iPhone and iPad actually infringe their patents and have called for compensation from the company. Samsung is responding actively to the legal action taken against us …

Location tracking – Apple and Google monitor your movements

Yes, it was only yesterday that we revealed how Apple handsets were tracking users. Data was stored locally on the phone but, as shown across TV news bulletins yesterday, information could easily be read and shown on a map. Now The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple …

Motorola Xoom – A “proper” test drive!

The guys from Carphonewarehouse have clearly gone insane. Instead of just doing a simple demo or hands-on video they’ve taken the new Motorola Xoom through traffic on the back of a motorbike, on a boat down the Thames, through a field on horse-back and.. well, listen.. just watch …

What the future holds for Nokia and Microsoft

The Microsoft and Nokia deal has been completed. A post on the Nokia website states that .. Nokia and Microsoft have signed the definitive agreement for our strategic partnership to build a new global mobile ecosystem that is unlike any other. Nokia have even taken on the “Developers, …

Unofficial Android 2.3 ROM for the Desire

If you read our HTC Desire S review then you’ll no doubt have seen the all-new version of Android 2.3.3 with the update HTC Sense interface. It’s something that existing HTC Desire owners can now crow-bar into their phones courtesy of 911Sniper. The big warning sticker saying, “TEST …

Skype security vulnerability now fixed

You may have seen reports regarding a with Skype earlier this week. It could have allowed other apps to access the private Skype files containing your personal data. An update is now available to fix the bug and you can download it here. Details of this fix have …

Samsung Galaxy Tab – Just £299 from O2

Earlier today we spotted a T-Mobile offer which gave you the Galaxy Tab for just £15 per month. However, over at O2 they seem to be selling it without a contract for £299. That’s cheaper than everywhere else we looked – even most eBay listings. Check our hands-on …