HTC One X+ Review

Always striving to stay at the top of the market HTC’s newest device the HTC One X+ takes one of HTC’s best rated Android phones (the HTC One X) and gives it a huge overhaul. Boasting a high speed 1.7GHz quad-core processor, 64GB of internal storage and a bigger battery life, the HTC One X+ is ideally place to become king of the pile.

Featuring an impressive 8 megapixel camera capable of capturing 1080p HD video and a 1.6 megapixel front mounted camera the One X+ can capture all the memorable moments of your life effortlessly.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS are included and all of your movies, games and music can be stored on the 64GB internal storage for play wherever you are. Here music and soundtracks as they were meant to be heard with the integrated Beats Audio sound module and multitask like never before with the cutting edge quad-core processor.

Download your favourite apps and games through Google Play and rent or buy movies through HTC Watch 2.0, the possibilities are endless!

The HTC One X+ is available now from free with selected contracts or for around £350 sim free.

Mobile phone applications and software

Modern mobile phones often come with the ability to download various ‘apps’ or software that allows you to access social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.  The general public uses these sites to communicate with one another and post things online, whilst on the move.  Apple iPhones, HTC mobile phones, android mobile phones, Samsung mobile phones, Sony Ericsson mobile phones and Blackberry mobile phones are the most recognised, with major companies releasing their apps and software on the platforms noted above.  Nokia mobile phones have recently become affiliated with Microsoft, with the two co-operating to create phones that are ideal for gaming on the go, implementing the familiar achievement system that the Xbox utilises, meaning that you can boost your ‘gamerscore’.

Many phones have started using much more complex operating systems as well, for example the Nokia Lumia now uses the Microsoft Windows 8 operating system, whereas the Apple iPhone 5 uses iOS.  This means better implementation with other applications on the phone, but also makes the phone more susceptible to viruses and other abnormalities, however, on the whole these are a rare occurrence. 

All mobile phones come pre-loaded with many of their own versions of apps.  On the Apple iPhone, for example, you will find a ‘maps’ app, but many people prefer to choose the more popular of the apps and will download those that are more widely recognised, such as the ‘Google Maps’ app.  

Many apps require updating frequently which, in turn, requires an internet connection.  When buying a phone, they will be on either a ‘Pay-and-go’ tariff or a general contract, both of which mean that you should get a wireless 3g internet connection.  The only difference between the two is that you are not obliged to pay a ‘Pay-and-go’ tariff and, therefore, your internet connection may be stopped if the phone is not topped up.

Mobile phone capabilities

Today, when somebody gets out their mobile phone, the chances are that they are actually using it for a reason other than calling someone or sending a text.  Mobile phones come with so many applications and so much hardware that they are being used more and more frequently for their alternative functions.

Smartphones also come complete with HD cameras capable of taking high resolution photos and capturing high quality videos.  These picture and videos can then be edited using the basic editing tool that comes with the phone.  Applications are available for download so that the consumer might be able to either add special effects, or alter a photo or video.   

Phones such as the Apple iPhone and HTC Android mobile phone include a generic headphone jack so that you can listen to your own music library whilst on the move.  With storage of up to 64 gigabytes, you can store over 5,000 songs on a mobile phone without the normal processes slowing down.  Many phones also allow you to download tracks that you do not yet have, or to stream them live without having to download them either from a radio station app, or general music app, such as Last FM.    

By downloading the Kindle app, or using the Apple iBooks app preloaded on an iPhone, you can download any books that you might have purchased in the past, download them and read them on the screen of your mobile phone.  You will also be able to purchase additional books from either the App Store or the Kindle eBooks site.

Sony Xperia E Review

Sony’s Xperia range has been growing throughout the years and their newest device is easy on the eye and wallet. The Sony Xperia E is a mid-range smartphone that runs on the popular Android OS and has a range of features that even the most expensive handsets will be jealous of.

This compact device features a 3.5 inch touchscreen display, has 3G and Wi-Fi built in and 4GB of internal memory. A microSD card slot means that you can add an extra 32GB of memory to store all of your music and videos.

The Sony Xperia E also includes a data usage app and power management to get the most out of your battery and HD Voice that filters out background noises for clearer conversations. The Android 4.1 operating system allows you to install your favourite apps, although there is no news on whether you will be able to upgrade it to the newest version.

The Sony Xperia E will be available in black, pink or white and will be released in the coming weeks. There is no word on price yet, but because the device is being positioned as a mid-range handset expect it to be free on various tariffs and contracts.

Samsung Galaxy S III mini

Samsung has added to its popular Galaxy range of mobile phones by releasing the Galaxy S III mini. This smaller device features a 4 inch AMOLED display, 0.8 inch smaller than the standard Galaxy S III, and is also powered by Android 4.1 meaning that you can get all of your favourite apps.

Other features include a 5 megapixel rear mounted camera with LED flash and a VGA front mounted camera for video calls. Internal memory of 8GB or 16GB is available as well as a microSD card slot capable of taking up to an additional 32GB of memory.

The 1GHz dual core processor is fast enough to run all existing applications effortlessly and is great for multitasking and the AMOLED display is great for viewing multimedia and web content. The 1500mAh battery powers the device for up to 14 hours of talktime and has up to 250 hours of life in stand-by mode.

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to mobile phones which is where the Samsung Galaxy S III mini shines. For those who want a powerful yet compact device the Samsung Galaxy S III mini is well worth a look.

The Samsung Galaxy S III mini is available now from free on contract or around £200 sim free.

Features expected in the new Apple iPhone

Apple has just released previews of its new operating system for its iPhones and seems set to unveil a number of new and useful features that will appeal to those who have already been using Apple iPhones and those who are new to the technology.   The new system will offer integration with Facebook and take advantage of features that allow users to “share locations”, thus catching up with the Android operating system.

The Siri part of the system also has new features.  This will offer business support, so iPhone users will be able to easily track down essentials such as restaurants and taxis.  The system can also be used to send tweets and launch various apps such as sports results and league tables.  In addition, the Siri system can also be used to send tweets and messages while driving, without the need to touch the phone at all.

The iCloud system will also be a part of the new system and all iDevices can be connected with it to co-ordinate documents and notes across all the devices if needed. 

Reminders can be set in the phone to make calls at another time and text responses can be preset to save time.  These can be customised to suit the needs of the iPhone user.  The handset also has a handy Do Not Disturb feature which allows the user to handle the frequency of the visual and audible notifications of calls and messages which come to the phone.  A user is then able to decide whose calls are put through.

The Passbook feature is one that many people who are interested in Apple iPhone deals will find appealing.  This allows the iPhone to be used as a ticket so that users no longer have to worry about printing tickets or losing them.

Nokia Lumia 920

The Nokia Lumia 920 is the latest Nokia device to feature the Windows 8 operating system and has pulled out all of the stops when it comes to built-in features. 4G connectivity and a huge 32GB hard drive are all big draws, as well as a wireless charging dock.

Nokia’s flagship phone also includes a 4.5inch IPS TFT display protected by Gorilla Glass, Dolby sound enhancement, Wi-Fi connectivity and an 8 megapixel rear mounted camera with dual LED flash which can record video up to 1080p.

A secondary front mounted 1.5 megapixel camera also features and the 1.5Ghz dual-core processor and 1GB of ram ensures that the phone will be faster than a flash.

The Nokia Lumia 920 is available in a range of vibrant colours and with these high end specs is sure to appeal to many people who want to move away from iOS and Android.

The Nokia Lumia 920 is available from £19.99 on selected 4G contract packages.

Apple iPhone review

Apple iPhone 5 reviews have been favourable; reviewers have generally liked the redesign that features a taller display with a thinner frame.  The Apple iOS is a fast and slick operating system and offers users plenty of apps.  One quibble with the iPhone 5 has been its iOS Maps app, which is not considered to be as good as Google Maps.  However, for its price, iPhone5 is considered to be one of the best smartphones on the market at the moment.

The iPhone 5 also features 4G and a faster processor.  Although the iPhone 5 is more a refinement rather than a totally new model, those who own the iPhone 4 will find that the upgrade is worth it.  However, it is an expensive phone, so those who do not currently own an iPhone might consider weighing their options.  One feature that is strongly in Apple’s favour is its ease of use and the fantastic range of apps that it has to offer.  Compared to previous models, the taller display of the iPhone 5 improves the web browsing and email viewing experience.  The iPhone 5 will work with the UK’s first 4G network.

The Apple iPhone is a popular mobile phone, so there are plenty of Apple iPhone 5 deals to be found.  Anyone considering purchasing the Apple iPhone 5 should search the internet beforehand.  Depending on how the phone is used and how much a customer is prepared to pay, deals can be found offering unlimited texts, minutes and data.   To keep costs down, customers can choose to restrict some or all of these options.

Android mobile phones

Android mobile phones run the Android operating system, a joint development between the Open Handset Alliance and Google.  With a smartphone OS, users can customise their phones, download apps, access social networking sites, email accounts and more.  An Android mobile phone is fully integrated with Google services.  Samsung mobile phones and HTC mobile phones both use the Android operating system.

The best selling Android phone for 2012 was the Samsung Galaxy S3, notable for its large screen, high quality camera, expandable storage, impressive performance and feature-packed software.  The upgrade to Android 4.1 has improved what was already a fast Android mobile phone.  A nice feature found on the Samsung Galaxy S3 is Smart Stay, which tracks eye movements.  This means that when a user is playing videos, the screen saver will not kick in.

Another Android phone worth considering is the HTC One X+.  Its display is amongst the best on the market and its 64GB of storage space is a bonus.   It runs the Jelly Bean software and its 1.7 GHz quad core Tegra 3 CPU is good for gaming.  The range of apps is impressive and includes access to Google Now.  A less than impressive battery life, however, is a letdown.

Motorola have lost market share in recent years, and today their range of phones is much smaller.  However, recent Motorola RAZR MAXX reviews suggest that the company may be about to stage a comeback.  The Motorola RAZR MAXX is very slim, features an 8 megapixel camera, 4.3 inch Super AMOLED screen and 1080p HD video recording.  In addition, it boasts the longest talktime for any smartphone.

Many companies are offering good Android mobile phone deals.  Those looking to purchase an Android mobile phone would do well to search the internet and compare prices beforehand.  There are many websites that will allow potential buyers to compare thousands of deals.

Apple iPhone review and specifications

Apple is currently the acknowledged leader in the smartphone world; the release of the ‘iPhone’ was the start of a worldwide obsession with fast, sleek, high-resolution touch phones.

The original iPhone / iPhone 2G

The original iPhone was made available in the United Kingdom in November 2007. Apple tied up with the American company, AT&T and named the effort ‘Project Purple 2’. The result was a sleek device with a 3.5 inch colour display and touchscreen technology that allowed the user to swipe and pinch their way around the phone. It also had a screen resolution of 320 by 480 pixels.

The iPhone 3G

The iPhone 3G was one step up from the 2G; it had several new features, such as Assisted GPS and used iPhone OS 2.0. It was also the first iPhone to have the App Store. Although Apple decided to stay with the same screen resolution, they introduced both 8GB and 16GB versions.

The iPhone 3GS

Almost every Apple iPhone review complained about the poor camera in the early models and the iPhone 3GS overcame that and several other problems. It boasted an improved 3 megapixel camera with autofocus, auto-macro and auto-white balance. As well as capturing pictures, the iPhone was now capable of taking videos.

The iPhone 4

The main selling feature of the iPhone 4 was Apple’s latest product, Facetime. The iPhone 4 came with two cameras, one of which could be used to video-call people anywhere in the world. The screen resolution was also increased to 960 pixels by 640.

The iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4S was the medium through which Apple introduced voice-recognition and ‘personal assistant’ Siri. From texting dad to pondering on the meaning of life, Siri could quite literally do anything. The iPhone 4S also had an 8 megapixel camera capable of shooting HD video.

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