Microsoft developing the smart scarf

Like most people who write for and read this site, I’m passionately interested in and excited about gadgets. Sometimes, though, you wonder whether things have spiralled out of control. Microsoft is supposedly developed a smart scarf. Not only will this woollen wonder keep your neck warm, but it …

Microsoft – not all WP8 phones getting Windows 10

Remember when Microsoft first announced Windows 10 they stated quite unequivocally that all Windows Phone 8 handsets would get the upgrade? Just to avoid any confusion, the precise message released via Twitter was: @Kalars07 We plan to upgrade all Windows Phone 8 devices to Windows 10 in the …

Apple Watch battery life (spoiler: not so good)

When the Apple Watch was announced last year many were left surprised that it was not going to be available immediately. One of the suspicions at the time had been that Apple was struggling with sustaining the battery life on it. Fast forward several months to January 2015 and with …

HTC Desire 626 specs leaked

According to @upleaks Taiwanese phone manufacturer HTC is working on a mid-range handset dubbed the Desire 626. From the leaked images, the Desire 626 looks very similar to HTC’s current mid-range Desire handset the 826. However, the Desire 626 will sport considerably less powerful internals, which includes :-  5-inch …

More holes than Swiss cheese. Yet more HTC One M9 shots emerge

There’s always a fine line just before a big phone launch. For a start, we never know if.. a) The leaks are made “accidentally on purpose” to increase the hype around the phone. b) If the phone we’re seeing here is actually a dummy, prototype or perhaps a …

YotaMirror in action on the YotaPhone 2

This video is actually going to form part of my YotaPhone 2 review, which will be online shortly, but I wanted to give the YotaMirror function a bit more focus. The YotaPhone, which we’ve already already taken a good look at, has two screens – a “usual” AMOLED …

More detail emerges on the O2 purchase by Hutchinson Whampoa

The owners of UK network Three have just added details on their site about the discussions taking place to buy O2 UK. The rumours stated that the deal was pretty much done, but the official statement is a little more cautious, saying that the companies are in “exclusive …

Podcast 124 – The week Dan committed to Windows Phone

Welcome to the latest episode of the Coolsmartphone Podcast. Joining me this week were Dan and John, this week we tried to keep our excitement about MWC in check. We discussed the next version of Windows Phone, Dan getting all excited about Windows 10, me and my Xiaomi …

BREAKING – O2 sell to Three owners for £10bn

Sources have confirmed to the Financial Times that Telefónica (O2 UK) is about to be purhcased by Hutchison Whampoa (Three) for “more than £10bn”. The move comes after rumours of the deal surfaced earlier this week. According to the newspaper there’ll be an official announcement tomorrow (January 23rd) …

Teen Developers – Ahan Sabharwal

From New Delhi, India, we have Ahan Sabharwal! Could you start by telling me a little about yourself? I’m a 15-year-old Android and web developer. Apart from coding I enjoy photography, playing the guitar and designing. I also find startups fascinating and the idea of creating things sublime. …

Skype on a Chromebook in minutes

Gah. The amount of emails I’m getting about this is insane. I updated my instructions on how to get Skype working on a Chromebook earlier this week and I’ve already got people saying that I’ve hacked my Chromebook or done some other weirdness. Others have stated that this …

WhatsApp start to ban users of the third party “WhatsApp Plus” app

WhatsApp is a popular cross platform messaging app that allows users the share text, picture and video messages to either individuals or groups of friends over their internet connection. Many of their 700 Million active users will be using the official WhatsApp app, however some may be using …

The day has come, Dropbox is available for Windows Phone

I’ve been a Windows Phone fan/user for years now and I’ve often ended up in discussions with Android and iOS users listening to why I should use their favourite OS and not Windows Phone. During that lecture I often hear “big developers like Dropbox haven’t even got an …

Windows Phone 8.1 to be replaced by Windows 10

Windows Phone 8.1 is officially on the condemned list. Microsoft today held a media briefing and announced that Windows Phone is to be fully integrated into the Windows fold when Windows 10 is released later this year. There will be two new versions of Windows, the only difference …

Softmaker Office Suite for Android goes free

The hunt for the perfect office suite has been a long one, dating back to Windows Mobile. The hunt for the ideal office suite continues today. I and many others just want to quickly and easily edit Word, Excel or PowerPoint files on the go. The problem is …

Boombox iMusic Pillow review

Remember that Boombox iMusic Pillow? We mentioned it last week and we love things like this. For a start it’s not like we’re talking about £600-worth of smartphone that needs to be fully explained in a 2000-word review. Oh no, this is a pillow with speakers in. There …

HTC One M9 pictures leak out ahead of MWC

Yay! Just a few weeks to Mobile World Congress and we’re getting the inevitable leaks ahead of the event. Yesterday we found some early details on the HTC One M9 but now we have some prototype photos and, as expected, it looks very similar to the already award-winning …

Fancy a Tesco Hudl 2 on the cheap?

The Tesco Hudl 2 is a great device, for the price anyhow. That price is now starting to drop and you can get one for £99 from Tesco Direct, admittedly it’s a refurbished unit, but it’s still a good deal. Just head over to the Tesco Direct page …

Three UK about to buy O2 ?

As you’ll know if you follow us, the boys at BT are currently sniffing around EE. Poor old O2 were out in the cold but, according to The Sunday Times, the owner of Three is looking to buy the network. Owner Li Ka-shing is apparently in talks with …

Tulisa goes slim as the face of KAZAM

Good old Tulisa Contostavlos. She’s managed to shake off the ordeal of “that video” becoming public and is now walking around with the slim KAZAM Tornado 348 in her hand. Now she appears to be the ambassador of the brand and has even created her own limited edition …