Nokia announced a few months ago that the Symbian Anna will be a software upgrade for Symbian ^3 devices. Today, another announcement was made that Symbian will further be updated to include a lot of new features to the existing software. Additionally, it is believed that some of the existing bugs with the previous versions have also been fixed in the latest release.

According to Symbian

Key features of Symbian Anna include virtual QWERTY keypad in portrait mode, split-screen text input, an updated web browser, stronger security, an updated icon set and improved Maps functionality. Plus the Nokia C7 gains activation of its NFC chip’

The release will be available for download in the following ways:

• Via the software update module of Ovi Suite; that is versions 3.1.1 and above.

• Via the software update application on your phone

It is recommended that Ovi Suite be used to download the latest version because it is about 27MB, and therefore the process will be easier using the Ovi Suite. Additionally, it is believed that the entire process will take around 20 minutes or so, based on the internet connection speed. As with most updates, taking a backup before updating the software is recommended. The entire change log of this release is available in the Symbian.com website.

Tata Sky recently introduced the mobile access device together with IR (infra red) device which can convert your mobile device into remote. The device is orb-shaped MP3 mobile accessory that injects into audio output of mobile and can turn mobile into remote that can control Tata Sky set-top box, TV, amplifier and DVD players. I’m testing the device and app since last few weeks and wants to submit my review.

Settings of Tata Sky Mobile Access App

How Tata Sky Mobile Access Work

As described in the intro, Tata Sky mobile access setup needs IR device and mobile app to convert your mobile into full fledged entertainment remote. You might be thing how actually this setup work and why we need an app and external device both? Yes, the Tata Sky Mobile access app packaged with specific frequency settings of audio tones which converted into the range of 35-40KHz signals  (based on RC-6/ RC-5 protocol) required for controlling devices (setup box, TV, Amplifier). If you are more interested into electronics and signals then you may further research into IR Remote Control Theory or Remote control entry on Wikipedia.

What is the Price of Tata Sky Mobile Access Device?

The IR device is very cheap and it can be  purchased for Rs 350 including shippingand handling.

What you can do with Tata Sky Mobile Access Device?

Social Watching Sign into Facebook and Twitter, through the application. You will now be able to share what you are watching, and see what others are watching.

Remote Recording - Sign in with your Tata Sky Subscriber ID to record shows on-the-go, through the app. This is applicable only for Tata Sky+/Tata Sky+ HD subscribers.

Control your TV - 

• Attach the MP3 mobile accessory to the audio jack (headphones socket) of your device
• The select your TV type

• Go to Type01 and press ‘Power’ to check if you can switch your TV on and off
• If you are able to successfully power on/off your TV, press ‘Volume’ to check if you can increase your TV volume

Control your DVD - 

• Attach the MP3 mobile accessory to the audio jack (headphones socket) of your device
• Select the DVD / amplifier that you wish to control with the app
• Go to Type01 and press ‘Test’ to check if you can switch your DVD on and off
• If successful, press select. Else, try the next type
  You may also choose the “automatic scan” option at the top of the DVD list page. Follow the instructions and let the app automatically recognize the correct DVD Type.

Control your Amplifier -

• If you wish to control volume through an amplifier, select Amplifier from settings and set the “Use Amplifier” status to “ON”
• Select the amplifier that you wish to control with the app
• Go to Type01 and press ‘Test’ to check if you can switch your amplifier on and off
• If successful, press select. Else, try the next type.

Manage Rooms - A single application allows you to control TVs and Set top boxes in multiple rooms.

My 3 Pointer View

1. I’m waiting for Android app of the Tata Sky Mobile Access to test it on wider range of devices and tablets!
2. The social features of app reminds me of Meso (social platforms for folks watching TV and different movies/shows).
3. As far as pricing is concern 350 Bucks is not a big deal to try the device, well, if you still don’t want to buy the device then the programme guide via app is really fabulous

Useful links

• Tata Sky Mobile Access App for iOs
• More info on Mobile Access Apps and its features
• Tata Sky Mobile Access – MP3 Mobile Accessory Offer

AT&T has announced through a press release that the provider is going to sell the LG Thrill 4G across AT&T company-owned stores. The phone, according to the company will be available in stores and at their online stores this summer.

The press release introduced the device as

The ideal handset for on-the-move entertainment enthusiasts’, it also added that it ‘is the ultimate on-the-go superphone

The provider, along with LG, hope to tap into the users that into gaming, amateur photographers, and 3D video creator; in short, this phone will be for the creative minds.

AT&T evidently seems excited about the prospects of selling the phone at their stores and is running Developers Programs that conduct a webcast to enable users to get an overview of the phone and its features.

Some of the interesting features of the LG Thrill 4G:

• Android 2.2 platform
• 4.3-inch WVGA display with glasses-free viewing
• HD 1080p in 2D and up to 720p in 3D
• 1 GHz dual-core
• Dual-channel RAM processor
• Sharing 3D or 2D content enabled
• HDMI connection
• micro cable
• DLNA for highest resolution playback
• AT&T Mobile Hotspot
• Camera: Back: Dual 5 megapixel stereoscopic camera, Front: Preloaded with the Qik video calling service for use over Wi-Fi
• Qik video calling service for use over Wi-Fi
• Gameloft™ 3D Store
• Preloaded YouTube 3D
• Access to 3D movies from mSpot®

Ericom announced the release of their faster RDP mobile client, called Ericom AccessToGo™. According to their press release , this client

provides secure, on-demand access to Windows applications and desktops running on terminal servers, virtual desktops and workstations’. It adds that ‘Ericom’s mobile client accelerates complex graphic displays on iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android tablets and phones, up to speeds ten times faster than other mobile RDP clients

The client is powered by the Ericom Blaze™ RDP compression and acceleration technology and provides an SSL gateway, Ericom Secure Gateway, that is fast and flexible and offers seamless installation and configuration.

AccessToGo provides performance at different levels and helps faster and seamless interaction of the device, with maps, photos, radiology images, Acrobat files (.pdf), and so on. The client hopes to reduce the IT overhead and support users that use many mobile device types (BYOD).

The unique feature of this client is that the UI for its Apple and android version is the same, and will be extendable to other new and emerging platforms. It is believed that when the client works in the Ericom Blaze mode, the client is almost 10x faster than other such similar clients.

The client can be downloaded and used from the Apple iStore or iTunes for Apple users, and from the Android Markets for Android devices.

According to reports, Verizon has sent out letters to its regional VPs that there will be changes in the pricing format, and that they will have tiered data plans starting soon. Quoting the increasing demand for data and media consumption, they have announced that the new pricing format will be based on customer usage. They have also announced that the new pricing patter will be applicable to both 3G and 4G LTE networks. Verizon in its letter said that this new plan will not affect the overall consumption of data by the users.

Reports suggest that there will be three separate prices for different amounts of data. 2GB will be available at $30 a month, while 5GB and 10GB data will be available at $50 and $80 a month respectively. Additionally, should the user want to add tethering, the charges for 4GB will be $50 a month, and 7GB and 12GB will be available at $70 and $100 a month. $10 per 1GB data will be the additional charges levied if the user goes over and above the purchased amount of data.

This is the new format is about $5 extra per month with respect to their competition AT&T’s plan structure. However, Verizon will probably offer these new plans with the promise of better reliability in 3G network and increased speed in the 4G LTE network.

via – [DroidLife]

Panasonic’s Toughbook® will be available as an Android tablet in the fourth quarter of this year. This announcement was made by the Panasonic Solutions Company through its press release. The press release read that

The new Toughbook® tablet will address a current gap by delivering a product designed with security, functionality and real-world reliability in mind’

Rance Poehler, president, Panasonic Solutions Company  has been quoted to have said that tablets

are engineered for consumers and don’t offer appropriate levels of security and durability or the functionality needed for business use

Therefore, Panasonic believes that the latest Toughbook tablet, like all other Toughbook models will be built for the mission-critical mobile user.

Panasonic hopes to increase the appeal of the tablet to many more users with this latest update. They also hope to tap into government establishments as potential customers by instilling the much needed security element.

In the press release, Panasonic announced that the screen of the tablet will be a high brightness screen that will be easy to view in daylight. This will help users read information on the screen despite light conditions. It also announced that it will also have an active stylus that helps its users to capture signatures on the tablet’s 10.1” XGA multi-touch display.

Though the overall toughness of the model will be maintained some of the interesting features will include:

• satellite-based GPS
• full-shift battery life
• professional-grade accessories
• optional embedded 3G/4G mobile broadband connectivity

HTC Sensation 4G has been the talk of the town for a while now; reports now suggest that they will be available for purchase at T-Mobile stores. Today, the Sensation can be bought for $199 with a 2 year contract and $50 mail-in rebate.

The 4.5-inch qHD Super LCD display with 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor that runs on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) also provides two exclusive features HTC Watch™ and HTC Sense™. HTC Watch™ gives you instant access to entertainment including games, releases, on-demand and so on. HTC Sense™ helps your Android work better for you – social network integration, HTC widget management, customizing your phone, and loads of other features.

Some of the interesting features of the HTC Sensation 4G are as follows:

• Processor: Dual core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™, 1.2 GHz
• Operating System: Android™ platform (Gingerbread)
• Memory: Internal: 768 MB RAM, Internal Storage: 4 GB (1 GB user addressable), External: microSD card slot (8GB card inc.)
• Display: 4.3” (diagonal) qHD
• Resolution: 540×960 pixels
• Network: GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• GPS: GPS/AGPS
• Camera: 8 megapixel autofocus camera with Dual LED flash
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi®: 802.11 b/g/n, 3.5 mm audio jack
• Battery: 1520 mAh LiIon
• Dimensions: 5″ (L) x 2.6″ (W) x 0.44″ (T)
• Weight: 5.2 ounces

Motorola’s DROID 2, when it was released created a stir in the market, now with its 3^rd version – DROID 3 – things are expected to be even better. Rumour has it that Motorola along with Verizon will probably release Droid by July 7, 2011.

Though Motorola and Verizon (the Android leader in the US) are being discreet about this release, Gameloft has gone a step ahead and added DROID 3 (Motorola XT862) as one of the devices that Gameloft is compatible with. This surely has stirred a lot of interest amongst DROID enthusiasts and Motorola and Verizon followers.

Previously, reports of the phone’s feature were leaked out and recorded by different news and phone websites. The most interesting update include that it will not be LTE-compatible. Additionally, reports suggested that the features could include an 8 megapixel rear camera, a 4-inch qHD display, and a 5-row QWERTY keyboard.

Features of the DROID 3 are as follows:

• Processor: Dual Core, TI OMAP 4, 1000 MHz
• Resolution: 540 x 960 pixels
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi, USB, headphones connector, DLNA
• Camera: Back: 8 megapixels auto focus, Geo tagging, Front: 1.3 megapixels
• Expandable Memory: microSD, microSDHC
• Keyboard: Full keyboard QWERTY

via – Phone Arena

Mobile phone manufacturer Pantech are throwing their hat into the ring, after announcing the impending release of their first ever Android smartphone – the Pantech Crossover.

The device will enter the market in the United States and is designed to be an entry-level Android smartphone; it will be released for mobile phone operator AT&T. The device has already been described as the perfect handset for first-time smartphone users.

The key features that the device will incorporate will include a slide-out full keyboard, a 3.1-inch touchscreen display, a 600 MHz processor, a 3-megapixel digital camera (with camcorder function included), Mobile Hotspot support and the incredibly popular AllSport GPS app; the Pantech Crossover is also expected to ship with an Android 2.2 operating system. Other useful features include access to Wi-Fi and mobile hot-spits, allowing access for up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices.

The device is described as being extremely durable, allowing it to “go wherever you go”; it will also have rubberised corners and a textured back cover, which will serve to enhance its rugged design.

Vice president of product planning for Pantech Wireless, Wyatt Whaley, said: “Crossover is the latest addition to our popular lineup of AT&T mobile phones,”

“As our first Android™ smartphone for AT&T customers, we’ve made sure that Crossover has all of the features our users consider indispensible and more – a full keyboard for messaging, a touchscreen for apps and games, easy access to favorite social media pages and many others. Crossover is a simple, sporty Android device for people on the move and it will be a central part of this year’s exciting Dew Tour.” added Mr Whaley.

It is uncertain whether Pantech has any plans to move the device into the market for customers in the United Kingdom.

If you want to view the current market leading mobile phones visit Dial-a-phone !

Google Shopper has been undergoing some change and the latest being version 1.5. This version has been expected for a while now, and Google has delivered. This version, once updated to your phone will let you look for offers that are also within your vicinity. It will now provide you a way to narrow your shopping choices by looking at Nearby Offers and My Offers.

In this release the bugs related to Android 2.1 (Eclair) scanning have been fixed. With the latest version, users will also have the options to look for coupons for places that users can eat and play; it will use Google Places for this option. It will also help you the option to view, save and redeem your saved coupons. Additionally it will also let you view, save and redeem your paid offers.

Google Shopper it a application that can be used on phones to scan covers of books and media, scan barcodes to get more information on the product, obtain detailed product information. Using this application, users can conduct product searches using voice, check for online prices, search for stores, save history of information that they have already looked up, and share information with friends.

T-Mobile announced Samsung’s Android phones Exhibit 4G and Gravity SMART. These phones are budget phones that are to be expected to be released in June 2011. The Exhibit 4G will be targeted towards users that are looking for mid-range to high level Android experience at a moderate price, while Gravity SMART will look for people looking for quality handsets at low prices.

The Exhibit 4G will be priced at $79.99 with $50 mail-in-rebate along with a signed 2 year pact. The pact will include qualified voice and data plan. Gravity SMART on the other hand will be priced at $69.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate along with a 2 year contract. The contract will also include qualified voice and data plan. Additionally, Gravity SMART phone with on contract after the rebate will be priced at $29.99 only in Lunar Gray.

Some interesting features of Samsung’s Exhibit 4G are:

• 3.7 Inch AMOLED screen
• Resolution of 480 x 800 pixels
• 21 Mbps HSPA+
• 1GHz Humming Processor
• 3MP back with flash
• VGA Front
• HSPA+ connectivity

Some interesting features of Samsung’s Gravity SMART:

• Android 2.2 (Froyo)
• 800 MHz processor
• 3.2 inch display will full slideout
• Gravity line – Group text, 4 row slideout QWERTY keyboard
• 3MP camera with LED flash

via – [Phone Arena]

Reports indicate that Google’s mobile payment service called Google Wallet will be launched this summer at different retailers in New York and San Francisco. It is believed that the first phone that will use the Goggle Wallet will be Sprint’s Nexus 4G. As a NFC-equipped device, Nexus 4G will be able to take advantage of the Google Wallet.

The Google Wallet will partner with MasterCard’s PayPass System. This partnership will help with the payment process. Additionally, Citigroup will provide the banking services. Many of the leading stores including Macy’s, Subway, American Eagles and so on will Google Wallet.

Google Wallet will help you use your phone like a wallet and therefore provide you with a simple and faster way to pay your bills at places where credit cards are accepted. It provides the security you need to ensure that your phone or your cards are not misused, by ensuring that you can easily activate or deactivate the feature. It also provides password protections for security.

The only charges that will be that of the MasterCard merchant fees, this is charged when you use a credit or debit card. Google, however, will not charge anything extra for the convenience offered. It will offer users coupons and loyalty program.

via – [Phone Arena]

Getting bored using old mobile phone and planning to buy new mobile phone, then this post is for you because before buying any new mobile phone you want to try it out and none of the mobile dealers offers you to try it out or they offer nonfunctional dummy handset. Tryphone is a web based mobile phone simulator which comes with virtual handsets that allows you to test drive new handset. Tryphone gives you real experience by allowing you to use specific functions by clicking on phone’s button using mouse cursor.

In addition to this, you can also watch demos of some important handset functions such as downloading applications, adding new contact, watching videos, etc. This service provides basic information on mobile handset that you are planning to buy like technical specification, user reviews and ratings. You can also compare two mobile phones.

It’s a nice mobile simulation application which offers you to try new mobile phones easily.

Features

• Use favorite mobile phones before buying

• Display user reviews and specifications

• Demos of main functions available

• Compare two mobile phones

Do you find this web based app useful? Share your feedback with us in comments section.

Link for Tryphone

GMapPro for Windows Phone 7 is a free tool which is based on Joomla Google Map module. It is easy to set up and you can easily customize it by browsing Google Maps. One of the feature I like about this app is that, it offer you to download and catch the maps for offline use which means that you do not need any internet connection while browsing Google Maps.

Features

• Download Maps of desired area and use them offline
• Use internal GPS of phone to find yourself on map
• Zoom level for “My Location” feature available
• GMapPro will show your location and track movement on map
• Calculate direct distance between points in km or miles.

Isn’t it a useful tool? Share your feedback in comments with us?

Windows Phone 7 has been announced as the main platform. This was a decision that was taken less than 2 months ago. The Nokia WP prototype was first assessed by a Russian tech analyst called Eldar Murtazin, who has revealed interesting details about the way forward for the company as far as the Nokia WP 7 goes.

Some of the reported findings that have been leaked out are as follows:

• Qualcomm chipsets will be used, because it is a Microsoft requirement.
• The first Nokia WP7 phone will probably be released end of January or early February 2012.
• The first prototype of Nokia’s WP7 handset looks like a Nokia X7 with a WVGA screen.
• The phone reportedly uses the QSD8250.
• It has a 8 megapixle camera with flash and auto-focus
• The Nokia W7 also resembles the HTC Mozart

Nokia W8: It is working on it to be a successor of Nokia N8.

• Will have a 12 megapixel camera.
• Will have Qualcomm dual-core chips
• Will have Adreno 320 graphics
• Portrait QWERTY will be a mimic of the Nokia E series. This is being developed by the fins and could be made available to users in March or April 2012 costing around $500.
• Affordable devices with touchscreen will be similar to Nokia W7.

Apart from these phones and updates, it has been reported that Nokia will also release 12 other WP7 devices. Additionally, that Symbian will go through major changes has also been reported.

via – [Phone Arena]