RIM unveil new Bold and Curve models

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Jack Adams

The Canadian manufacturer behind the BlackBerry, Research In Motion (RIM), has announced two new models, the BlackBerry Bold 9790 and the BlackBerry Curve 9380, according to an article published by PC Advisor.

Both new devices are set to run BlackBerry’s latest operating system, BlackBerry 7.

Featuring a 2.45 inch touchscreen – as well as a trackpad – the BlackBerry Bold 9790 will be powered by a 1GHz processor and possess around 8GB of storage space – which users will be able to expand upon via a memory card of up to 32GB.

The latest Curve model, the 9380, like the Bold 9790, is also set to feature a touchscreen – the first in the range to do so. Possessing considerably less memory than the Bold 9790, the 9380 will come with 512MB.

With both set to run the latest operating system, RIM has claimed that it will allow users a web browser that is 40 per cent faster when compared to previous versions; BlackBerry 7 will also feature support for Near Field Communications (NFC) and Augmented Reality technology.

Speaking about the new models – both expected to be popular business mobile phones – senior vice president for handheld product management at RIM, Carlo Chiarello said: “We are very excited to expand the BlackBerry 7 portfolio with the new BlackBerry Bold 9790 and BlackBerry Curve 9380.”

Continuing, he added: “BlackBerry smartphones offer a uniquely refined mobile communications experience that people love and we think many customers will be thrilled by the faster performance, beautiful touch displays and compact designs available with these new BlackBerry 7 based models.”

Mobile and business communication news brought to you direct from Intercity, specialists in mobile and business communication.

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Nokia provide a glimpse into the future of mobile phones

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Jack Adams

Finnish mobile phone manufacturer, Nokia, has given consumers and commentators a glimpse into the future of communications with the unveiling of its HumanForm concept phone, according to an article published by Know Your Mobile.

Currently a concept without a prototype of any kind, the Nokia Research Center has released a video displaying a number of stunningly unique ideas.

The main feature of the HumanForm lies in the idea that the whole of its surface is fully functional; constructed from gel, the lozenge-shaped phone is shown undertaking a number of tasks – including image editing and communicating via gestures, as well as accessing social networks.

Whilst the release of the video might give a clear indication of the route Nokia – a popular manufacturer of business mobile phones – are planning to take, commentators have moved to curb any expectation of any impending launch date.

Nokia’s HumanForm concept video can be seen on the official Nokia blog, Nokia Conversations.

Mobile and business communication news brought to you direct from Intercity, specialists in mobile and business communication.

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BlackBerry set to feature new keycard technology

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Jack Adams

Research In Motion, the Canadian manufacturer of BlackBerry devices, is set to work with security group, Assa Abloy AB, to incorporate an NFC-powered (Near Field Communication) keycard feature into future BlackBerry handsets, according to an article published by the Times Of India.

The feature could replace the standard key cards used to access swipe-lock doors.

Using NFC-technology, users will swipe their BlackBerry devices across a card reader – allowing them enter a building.

Daniel Berg, head of Assa Alboy’s mobile keys division stated that the BlackBerry’s would be compatible with the company’s existing locks, adding that the technology would be used primarily to phase out key cards used to access offices.

Assa Abloy’s deal with Research In Motion is a company first – marking the first occasion their technology has been used on a mobile phone.

Amongst the devices set to incorporate the technology initially are the BlackBerry Curve 9350/9360 and the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930, all of which are expected to be popular business mobile phones.

Mobile and business communication news brought to you direct from Intercity, specialists in mobile and business communication.

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RIM set to investigate claims of delays to BlackBerry services

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Jack Adams

Research In Motion, the manufacturer of BlackBerry devices – popular as business mobile phones – has announced that it will be looking into claims by users of delays experienced on its service, according to an article published by Reuters.

Despite the investigation, the Canadian manufacturer has moved to clear up any assumptions of a service outage similar to one that blighted the service last month (October).

In a post published on the company’s official Twitter account yesterday (November 9), a spokesperson initially stated: “We’re getting reports that some users are experiencing delays. We’re investigating and will update you ASAP.”

“There is no system-wide outage. However we are investigating reports that some users in EMEIA have experienced delays,” the spokesperson added later on – referring to BlackBerry services across Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa.

Although services were said by “operating normally” later in the day, Research In Motion are still set to look into the problem.

The previous outage last month left users unable to access their emails, BlackBerry Messenger, as well as the Internet for around four days.

Mobile and business communication news brought to you direct from Intercity, specialists in mobile and business communication.

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Latest HTC model to feature a quad-core processor?

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Jack Adams

HTC are rumoured to be working on what will be a first for the Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer – a quad-core phone – according to an article published by MSNBC’s Gadgetbox.

Currently titled the HTC Edge, the device is expected to run on Nvidia’s AP30 Tegra 3 CPU, which has an unprecedented four 1.5GHz cores.

Other specs for the device – a photograph of which has been revealed – include an 8-megapixel camera, 1GB of RAM and a screen measuring 4.7 inches – making it bigger than another of HTC’s other recently announced handsets, the HTC Rezound.

A recent HTC announcement revealed which of its devices would get the latest Android upgrade – Ice Cream Sandwich – and the HTC Edge is expected to be added to the list when officially revealed.

The inclusion of a quad-core processor could potentially make the HTC Edge as powerful as some laptops – making it possible for users to carry out a number of tasks at one time on the device without it slowing up.

Mobile and business communication news brought to you direct from Intercity, specialists in mobile and business communication.

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HTC announces devices set for Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Jack Adams

Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer, HTC, has announced which of its devices will be upgraded to run on Android’s upcoming Ice Cream Sandwich OS (operating system) – becoming the first manufacturer of Android devices to do so – according to an article published by ZDNet UK.

Due to the hardware requirements of this new version of Android, not all HTC devices will be capable of running this latest OS.

However, in a post on their official UK Facebook page, HTC stated that the Sensation XL, Sensation, Sensation XE, Evo 3D, Amaze 4G, Rezound and the Evo Design 4G would all be compatible with the upgrade, which is expected to be released early next year.

In a statement, HTC also added: “We’re continuing to assess our product portfolio, so stay tuned for more updates on device upgrades, timing and other details about HTC and Ice Cream Sandwich.”

Ice Cream Sandwich is expected to bring a number of highly anticipated features to Android phone users. These include a brand new Gmail app and an overhauled version of the Android browser.

Mobile and business communication news brought to you direct from Intercity, specialists in mobile and business communication.

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Nokia Maps 3.8 now available on Symbian Belle devices

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Jack Adams

Having been in a beta testing phase for considerable amount of time, users of Nokia devices operating Symbian Belle will now be able to access Nokia Maps 3.8, according to an article published by All About Symbian.

The new version for the Finnish manufacturers’ handsets – popular business mobile phones – offers a number of the features typically expected from Nokia Maps, including a component-based installer and separate modules for Weather and Check-in.

However, it also provides a new widget on the home screen which will display a user’s current location in map form – extremely useful if you become lost on your way to a business meeting. This widget also allows a regular refresh, allowing users to get a constant up-to-date view of their location.

Whilst currently only compatible with Nokia devices running on the Symbian Belle OS (operating system), Nokia Maps 3.8 is expected to see a future release that is compatible with the Symbian Anna OS.

Nokia Maps is now available for purchase from the official Nokia Store.

Mobile and business communication news brought to you direct from Intercity, specialists in mobile and business communication.

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HTC Radar launch event in San Francisco

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Jack Adams

Taiwanese smart phone manufacturer, HTC and software giant, Microsoft, have officially launched the latest HTC Windows phone in an event held in San Francisco, according to an article published by Information Week.

The HTC Radar has specifically been designed with a mainstream target audience in mind.

Writing for Information Week, George Ou, provided some of the device’s highlights.

Here are just some of those best features in a summarised form:

- A less costly alternative to the more expensive HTC devices, the Radar features a 3.8-inch super-LCD screen – with a screen resolution of 800 by 400 pixels.

- The device is fully integrated with the Windows Phone 7.5 “Mango” operating system, meaning the HTC Radar can be used straight from the box.

- It also features a 5-mega-pixel camera with a low-light sensor.

- With HTC Radar’s Windows Phone operating system, the device is fully integrated with popular Microsoft programs such as Office, Outlook and Exchange.

- A solid metal body gives it the feel of one of HTC’s more expensive models – also making for a sturdy option.

Mobile and business communication news brought to you direct from Intercity, specialists in mobile and business communication.

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HTC expecting quieter end to the year

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Jack Adams

HTC has forecast lower revenues and shipments of its devices for the upcoming fourth quarter, according to an article published by BBC News.

The Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer revealed that it instead is expecting somewhere in between £2.6 and £2.8billion in revenues for the final three months of 2011.

Citing a level of uncertainty surrounding the potential success of its upcoming models, HTC however has displayed some optimism, revealing that it expects its LTE 4G model to be a considerable success – when it launches during the first quarter of next year.

With a number of recent reports intimating at the imminent launch of a budget HTC device, chief financial officer, Winston Yung has moved to rebuke the claims.

Speaking in a telephone conference, he revealed: “We hope to capture the opportunities from customers migrating from feature phones to smartphones with our quality.”

“That’s something we won’t compromise, we cannot launch low-end products,” Mr. Yung added.

Mobile and business communication news brought to you direct from Intercity, specialists in mobile and business communication.

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BlackBerry Near Field Communication feature receives MasterCard certification

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Jack Adams

BlackBerry have announced that the NFC (Near Field Communications) tools featured on their Bold 9900 and Curve 9360 handsets have received official certification from MasterCard – now making them PayPass approved – according to an article published by ITWeb.

NFC utilises wireless technology to allow mobile devices to exchange data; whilst PayPass is the MasterCard system that allows for contactless payments to be made from an NFC-enabled device to a special terminal.

The manufacturer of the devices – popular as business mobile phones – Research In Motion (RIM) commented on the certification.

In a statement, the company said: “With this certification, any MasterCard PayPass-issuing bank globally will be able to deploy MasterCard PayPass-enabled accounts to the SIM card of these smartphones.”

RIM has also claimed that their BlackBerry handsets are also the first to receive PayPass certification.

In order to achieve this certification, the devices have to meet MasterCard’s security requirements.

Andrew Brocking, vice president of handheld software product management at RIM, also commented on the feature.

He said: “We are working proactively with our carrier partners, banks, retailers and other industry players and we are excited to push the boundaries of how NFC can enable new mobile experiences for BlackBerry smartphone users around the world.”

Mobile and business communication news brought to you direct from Intercity, specialists in mobile and business communication.

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