iPod Shuffle

It seems the no buttons, voice control route has been ditched by Apple in an attempt to save the poor old Shuffle. Design-wise the familiar clip on the back has returned, as have the circle of control buttons on the front of the device. The look is very similar to the second generation shuffle which was very popular a few years back. Playlists and shuffle are still there, but for this one Apple have thrown Genius into the mix. With 5 different colours and only £39 for 2GB, it should prove to be a popular cheap mp3 player.

iPod Nano

Perhaps the biggest change in direction from it’s previous state is the new iPod Nano. Shape-wise it has shrunken down to a small, slim square shape much like the old 3rd Gen Nano. The official word is that this Nano is 46% smaller than the previous camera-toting version. As speculated by most gadget websites due to casing and parts leaks, the Nano is all-touchscreen. Similar to the Shuffle, there’s a clip on the back for attaching it to your bag or pocket. FM Radio, Clock and Pedometer features are also included, making the Nano a good option for sporty types. Again available in 5 colours, the Nano will set you back £129 for the 8GB and £159 for the 16GB model.

iPod Touch

Probably the most talked about of the new Apple range is the iPod Touch 4th Generation. Apple haven’t suprised many people by including a front-facing camera along with Facetime, but it’s still a very exciting prospect indeed. On the rear of the device you’ll now find a camera capable of taking 720p HD video footage at 30fps. Unfortunately the still images max out at 960×640, which is actually the equivalent to 0.6 megapixels. In our opinion the best change Apple have made is the inclusion of the Retina Display, boasting crystal clear high res image quality.

Apple have upgraded the processor to an A4 chip, and also included the same 3-axis gyroscope as the iPhone 4. The design has been slimmed down again, with the bezel around the screen being slimmed down even more to give it a super sleek look. The battery will give you an extra 10 hours audio and/or an extra 1 hour video playback. The Touch 4G is available in 8, 32 and 64GB variants priced at £189, £249 and £329 respectively.

Unlike Apple, Microsoft have decided to go down the Android route and aren’t producing the handsets themselves, rather creating their own operating system and are allowing a myriad of phone producers to make the phones with the new OS.

Microsoft’s Terry Myerson who revealed the news in a Windows Phone 7 Blog said: “Windows Phone 7 is the most thoroughly tested mobile platform Microsoft has ever released. We had nearly ten thousand devices running automated tests daily, over a half million hours of active self-hosting use, over three and a half million hours of stress test passes, and eight and a half million hours of fully automated test passes. We’ve had thousands of independent software vendors and early adopters testing our software and giving us great feedback. We are ready.”

So are Microsoft ready to take on the might of Apple and Google, with WP7? Making this Christmas the ideal time to consider an upgrade as you will be spoilt with so much choice.

If you’re a mobile developer and want to make some money, don’t forget you can grab the developer kit and start making apps. Who knows you may make the next Angry Birds and become rich beyond your wildest dreams.

Grab the development kit from here.

Sony is very confident about their 3D credentials and talked about it at length at the IFA in Berlin, Germany.

The company tried to dazzle the tech world at the press conference with examples of Golf and Football – they are quite clearly going 3D mad at the moment and it’s very much their focus for the next 12 months and beyond.

Stringer wouldn’t give a specific date for the final release, probably because it’s going to change again. But if you’ve got a 3D-Ready TV you’ll be able to enjoy movies like Avatar, and other Sony titles in time for Christmas in full 3D glory.

It wasn’t all about 3D though, they managed to squeeze a bit info in about a Google TV powered device before the end of the year in the US.

Blu-ray has become the dominant force in the High Definition content market and if you own a fancy HD TV, then the PS3 is good buy, as it will play Blu-rays, BBC iPlayer and of course it is a fantastic gaming machine. With the added 3D capability coming soon as well as the Move now is the time to pick up a PS3.

Yesterday saw Steve Jobs take to the stage in his familiar Turtleneck and New Balance trainers for a Special Apple Event. First on the agenda was iOS..

Firstly Steve announced that there will be a free software update for iOS devices, iOS 4.1. HD Video uploading will be included, giving users the chance to upload 720p footage automatically after finishing recording. Photos will now be taken using a HDR method, meaning the camera will simultaneously take 3 images at once. One image will be over exposed, one will be underexposed and one will be normal. The device will then assess which looks best and give you the option to choose.

The keynote was also used to give attendees a sneak-peak of the next update for iPad iPhone and iPod, iOS 4.2. The update which will be released this November will include features such as wireless printing and a new version of AirPlay. Airplay offers the streaming of music, video and photos through a WiFi network to devices, sort of like UPnP.

iPad users will get what Apple have dubbed “everything for iPad”. By everything they mean, everything that was already available in iOS 4. This means iPad users will be able to categorise apps, and create folders. Coupled with wireless printing, the iPad is heading towards being a full blown netbook-beater.

More Apple news to come..

After several years of gamer’s complaints regarding the poorly designed and sometimes unresponsive D-pad, Microsoft have taken it upon themselves to revamp the controller and aim to improve the disliked D pad.

The new design D pad can be adjusted by twisting it, raising it from a flat disc to a more protruding D pad. Microsoft say this will improve the tactile response from the D pad, making D pad-heavy games much easier to play. So there you go, now you’ll be even more awesome at Dead or Alive 4.

Along with the D pad overhaul, the shoulder buttons are supposedly now more comfortable, the A, B, X and Y buttons have lost their colour and are now shades of grey to match the matte silver colour of the controller.

Unfortunately the news is that the new controller will only be available as part of the new Play & Charge kit, and the US pricing is $64. No word on the UK pricing, but we doubt it will be any more wallet friendly.

AV Giants Panasonic have recently unveiled a slim, wall-mountable Full HD 3D Blu-ray Home Cinema System. The sleek player features the PHL Reference Chroma Processor and Full HD Upsampling for the crispest of 3D and regular Blu-ray pictures.

WiFi connectivity is built in for streaming through present and future web services and apps, such as Panasonic’s growing VIERA CAST service which includes Youtube video streaming. Also wireless is the 7.2 surround sound support and Subwoofer, offering HD quality audio wirelessly to a Subwoofer and surround system.

Also packed into the slim bar design is iPod connectivity, SD Card slot and a USB Port for viewing from a range of portable media devices.

So if you’re looking for a top notch, space conscious Blu-ray player then keep your eyes peeled for the memorably-named Panasonic SC-BFT800.

Via: Gizmodo

Remember when back when we told you about the Motorola Droid 2 that wasn’t coming to Europe? Well it is, just under the guise of the Motorola Milestone 2.

The Milestone 2 will run on Android 2.2 (Froyo) with the Motoblur user interface over the top. As with alot of recent smartphones, the Milestone 2 will be powered by a 1GHz processor. Storage-wise you’ll get a standard 8GB onboard, and an expansion slot to add more if you so wish.

On the rear of the device you’ll find a 5MP camera, with capabilities of shooting 720P HD video. You’ll also be able to share your video via DNLA across your home WiFi network. The Milestone 2 has the ability to be used as a mobile hotspot, allowing you to connect up to 5 devices at a time to use the web from.

Of course though, this will be using fairly extensive data and may cause you to incurr tethering costs, so check with your network before you let 5 mates stream HD movies from your phone.

With the Milestone 2 running Android 2.2, you’ll get Flash 10.1 implementation, meaning of course you can stream media from youtube and the like while on the go.

The major difference in appearance between the original Milestone and the Milestone 2 is that the Navipad has been omitted in the new design. Motorola have favoured pc keyboard style cursor keys, which should be more user friendly and give a better tactile response.

The Motorola Milestone 2 should be available in the UK in Q4 of 2010, so in plenty of time for Christmas. Moto haven’t confirmed which networks will be offering the Milestone 2.

Via: Gizmodo

Last night Archos shut their website down for a few hours maintenance. What we got when they came back online was 5 new Internet Tablet devices. Oh, and a shiny new Donut update for the Archos 5 Android Internet Tablet. Not too shabby for an hour or two’s maintenance.

All 5 of the new tablets will be running Android Froyo 2.2, will include built-in WiFi and range from the Archos 2-8 at 99euro to the Archos 10-1 at 299euro.

Starting off with the entry level, the Archos 2-8 is a music orientated player, coming in 4GB and 8GB sizes (99euro and 109euro respectively). With the 2-8 you’ll get a nice 2.8 inch touchscreen to operate with, along with the Android 2.2 OS. This one seems to be Archos’ best bet for rivalling the popular iPod Nano.

As with most product ranges, the more you spend the more you get, and this range is no exception. Splash out a bit more for the 3-2 (129euro) or the 4-3 (199euro) and you’ll get yourself a camcorder/camera which will take stills and video. As the model numbers seem to match the touchscreen sizes, you’ll get a 3.2″ touchscreen for the 3-2, and yup, a 4.3″ one for the 4-3.

One of the main differences between the 3-2 and the 4-3 is that the camcorder on the 4-3 will shoot HD video with a max. video resolution of 1280 x 720, whereas the 3-2 will only shoot regular VGA footage.

Moving on to the next level, the Archos 7-0 internet tablet comes in with a swish 7-inch touchscreen and webcam with microphone for video chat via WiFi. Archos also state that video can be recorded using the webcam and played back through your TV using the built-in HDMI port. This is a step forward, as with almost all Archos devices in the past you would need to buy an additional docking station accessory in order to play back video through your TV.

The 7-0 will come in two sizes, 8GB (269euro) and a 250GB model (299euro).

At the very top of the scale is the flagship model, the Archos 10-1. Again running on Android 2.2, it features a 10.1″ touchscreen and will come in sizes of 8GB at 269euro or 16GB at 299euro. Following the trend of making the thinnest tablet possible, Archos has managed to squeeze all this tech into a 12mm thick casing which weighs just 480 grams. Thats a whole 200 grams less than an iPad folks!

Inside you’ll find a 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor at the very heart of the Archos 10-1, a WiFi receiver capable of wireless-n connectivity, Bluetooth, HDMI output for playing your videos back to a TV and also a built-in webcam for video calling. As with all the other tablets (except the 2-8) HD video playback is a feature, with the 10-1 being capable of displaying 720p high resolution video.

Perhaps the most interesting feature though, is that you can hook it up to your TV to play games and use the tablet itself as the controller. Due to the accelerometer and 3D open GL gaming technology, you’ll be able to tilt the tablet in your hands in order to control the game on your tv screen. I can’t wait to try out this feature, it sounds like it could be tonnes of fun.

Thankfully there will be also be Flash 10.1 support, meaning you’ll be able to watch Youtube and BBC iplayer videos through the browser.

So there you have it, an Archos Android invasion. Which one do you like the sound of? Do you love the idea of using your tablet as a gaming controller while hooked up to the tele? Let us know in the comments.

SatNav manufacturer Garmin have identified potential overheating issues with a series of it’s in-car satnav systems. Emails have been sent out by major manufacturers including Amazon, informing customers that a recall will be taking place due to some units being possible fire hazards.

What we know is that a certain third party battery supplier that Garmin use for its products have manufactured a batch of batteries which, when used with certain PCB designs in some Garmin units, can increase the possibility of overheating.

Garmin are strongly urging customers to go online to check which model they have, and if it’s one of the problem devices to return it immediately. The fault has apparently been identified in less than ten cases involving certain Nuvi models. Thankfully no cases have caused significant property or vehicle damage, and no injuries have occurred.

The models which may be affected include the 200W, 250W, 260W, 7xx and 7xxT (where xx is a two-digit number). If you’re reading this and you have one of these Garmin products, please contact your retailer straight away!

Not only does this comprehensive Samsung E2120 manual run you through the phone specs, it also has step by step guides to all its mobile phones features and a handy simulator and will allow users to capture a 360 degree view of the phone with an interactive button tour.

Click the image below to launch the interactive guide:

Interactive User Manual

Overview of the interactive guide contents:

• Phone Tour
  Who needs a thick hardback manual when the interactive user guide tells you all you need to know about how your Samsung E2120 works. Whether you’re wanting to find out how to use the Music  features or more simply how to make a call, the interactive phone tour is there to run you through all these options.
• Phone Specification
  Mobile phone specifications are usually a technical minefield, however the Samsung E2120  specification helps you answer some of the common questions posing many Samsung owners, such as does the E2120 have bluetooth so I can use it to connect with my in-car media center; or how do I download a full music track from Vodafone Live?
• Phone Views
  Take a look at the phone in all its glory by using the interactive 360 degree viewer. Have fun with your PC mouse by clicking and dragging the interactive image viewer to give you a taste of the Samsung E2120 from various angles.
• Phone Features
  Get to grips with the phone’s features and follow the step by step guide on how to access and browse the internet; or how to play music on the E2120.
• Phone FAQ’s
  Although the comprehensive interactive guide should have provided you with the knowhow of all the phones specs, features and usability, there may be some questions still left unanswered. View the Samsung E2120‘s Frequently Asked Questions section to assist you more.

For more interactive user manuals for all your mobile and smartphone needs click here>>