Let’s go Funkyfast

Three are now branding their dual-channel HSDPA as something different. Something new. Something exciting. Sure, while EE are calling their 4G network “superfast”, Three call theirs “ultrafast”. So what’s better? Ultrafast or Superfast? Well, I’m not totally sure, but I somehow want to create a network myself and …

Three launch a new SIM-only data plan, but we’re not happy

I’ve got a SIM card here from Three. It’s on the SIM Zero plan which the network doesn’t actually do any longer. For £5 I get 2GB of data per month. Sure, I don’t get any calls or texts included, but for my tablet or secondary smartphone it’s …

Are Microsoft kidding?

I love Windows Phone, Microsoft, Samsung and Android so the following video doesn’t appeal to any particular bias I may have. But Microsoft seem to have lost it. Basically they’ve decided to compare the cost of the Samsung Galaxy S4 (about £500) with the cost of the Nokia …

Nokia Lumia 620 going cheap at Phones 4U

This morning you may have noticed a big advert in The Metro For this, the Nokia Lumia 620. The Windows Phone handset is down in price this weekend at Phones 4U. It’s £127.96 + £10 top up and from £103.96 on prepay upgrade. Available in black or pink …

Huawei introduce Ascend Y210, G510 and MediaPad 7 Lite to TalkTalk

Huawei have always done budget phones well, and as of next week Talk Talk will be boosting their choice of entry level Androids with the Ascend Y210 and Ascend G510. They’ve also bagged Huawei’s MediaPad 7 Lite budget tablet. The G510 comes in at £10 per month, and …

The HTC Phablet rumour that just won’t go away

We thrive on rumours and leaks these days, I can’t sleep some days until I’ve read what someone somewhere thinks some company might release at some point soon. Sometimes though @evleaks on Twitter is involved things are a little different, things are a little more real. So when …

The Coolsmartphone Podcast – Episode 49

Episode 49 of the Coolsmartphone Podcast is here. For this weeks topics we have leaks aplenty from Huawei, HTC and Samsung, some official Samsung announcements and the “Will they? Won’t they?” Situation with the now official Google Edition of the HTC One. Plus EE and their ludicrous pricing …

EU looking to make roaming charges history

We all know that using a phone abroad can be very expensive especially for data. There may be hope on the horizon though thanks to this woman. This is Neelie Kroes and she is the European Commissioner for Digital Agenda. With EU roaming charges already set to drop …

S4 Mini coming to Three

Three have just uploaded a video to their YouTube channel with a hands on of the new Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini. It’s only just been announced, but Three have already confirmed that they will be taking it. The S4 Mini features a 4.3 inch screen, 1.7GHz Dual-Core processor, …

HTC One Google Edition officially unveiled

Everyone knew it was coming, and now Sundar Pichai has revealed the phone that everyone has been waiting for live on stage at the D11 conference. It’s the same amazing hardware that everyone has been raving about, minus Sense and plus some stock Android goodness. The model will …

EE adds another 12 cities to 4G

Speed. Speed. I am speed. Yes, if you want to be the “Lightening McQueen” in the office then you could dress up and make “Vroom Vroom” noises or, instead, you could get some hard 4G action courtesy of EE. They have added a further 12 cities to their …

Twitter for Android hits version 4.1

Twitter are continuing their recent push to turn their Android app into something you’d actually want to use. With the 4.0 update, I actually switched to it as my go to Twitter app, and with 4.1 they’ve made it that little bit better.  The compose screen is actually …

Gmail update brings multiple inboxes

  In what is a fairly major update, Google have added multiple Inboxes to Gmail on the web and to its Gmail and iOS apps. The inboxes take the form of tabs, with categories for Primary, Social, Promotions, Updates and Forums. The idea is that bulk mail from …

Samsung actually announce the Galaxy S4 Mini

The Galaxy S4 Mini hasn’t been the best kept secret. What with various leaks around the internet and someone at Samsung accidentally adding it to their website as well. DOAH! Now it’s official.. Samsung have come out and announced the S4 Mini which offers a lower spec than …

Huawei Ascend W2 Windows Phone 8 press image leaks

The Huawei Ascend W2 has been a long time coming, but there’s now pictorial evidence to say that it’s imminent. Serial leaker @evleaks has posted a press render of the phone, which looks rather funky. It’s got the obligatory brightly coloured back, and standard Windows Phone layout, but …

Google update their Android Calendar app

A while back Google separated some of the core apps from the main firmware. Having them separated means that you an receive updates to your core apps. Such as Gmail, Calendar, YouTube, Hangouts etc. Google have updated the Calendar app a few times now and this latest update …

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active and Zoom specs leak

With the success of the Galaxy S4, selling 10 million units since launch, Samsung didn’t really need to do much else but rather than rest on their laurels they are going after the tough phone market as well with the S4 Active. Whilst pictures of it leaked last …

HTC M4, Butterfly and T6 roadmap leaked by business analyst

If ever there was a business in need of an analyst it’s HTC right now. It seems that the one who’s taken on the role this time has a rather big gob and has leaked their plans for the next couple of quarters. She’s very positive though! Laura …

EE announce new 30 day 4G plans

EE have just announced new 30 day rolling SIM-only contracts here in the UK. The new plans will allow access to the 4G network without the long commitment. Customers can then try 4G to see how it works for them and sign up to a longer deal with …

OPPO Style up their warranty to 2 years after customer feedback

OPPO Style are the new kids on the European block, but it seems like they’re making the right impression, because only two days after they launched their European web store they’ve already doubled their warranty period to two years. In a press release (below) they state that customers …