Penny Mobiles – Mobile phone news, reviews & information

There are plenty of reasons why Samsung and Sony Ericsson should be happy. After all, the past few months has seen the companies release a whole new line of Android devices and of course, the continued growth of market demand for the Google made platform.

Sony Ericsson has been in financial turmoil last year and has taken most of 2010 getting back in the game. But with both feet now planted firmly back on the ground with a strong line up of new devices selling plenty in the past couple of quarters, it is not surprising that the Swedish Japanese joint venture is enjoying it newfound success. Of course, the icing on the cake would have to be the award from EISA which celebrates the XPERIA X10 Mini smart phone.

Obviously, the X10 Mini is not as powerful as the XPERIA X10. In fact, compared to that powerhouse, the device seems very much like a toy. But looking closer at the specs, one realizes that the Mini is far more practical –especially when price is concerned. The phone is much cheaper than the X10 and it is almost as functional. Sure, the processor is slower and the screen is much smaller. But given that the device is far cheaper –then it is a better choice.

Samsung also got a little award as well. While Sony Ericsson got off with the best mobile phone award, Samsung was still able to nab the best smart phone award. The recipient is none other than the Galaxy S with its’ impressive high end specifications. Naturally, the phone’s impressive touch screen display technology which makes use of super AMOLED technology surpasses most screens available –including the retina display on the iPhone 4.

Expect to hear more about these two devices as the EISA awards are certain to bring the spotlight back on them.

New smart phones are always fun to look forward to, and when leaks start popping out, that is the time when we really want to get to the bottom of things. These last few days have been filled with updates and new rumors regarding Sony Ericsson’s upcoming handsets and here is a quick review of everything that we know so far.

Originally, three handsets have been revealed; the XPERIA Shakira, a new Walkman handset and an unnamed device that has a 5.5 inch touch screen, a slide out QWERTY keyboard and is reportedly an Android smart phone. While the Walkman handset was rumored to be a new Android device that was based on the X10 Mini (the two phones do share similarities), it was later confirmed that the device is actually the W150 TeaCake which is not an Android handset.

The Shakira on the other hand is pegged as the phone in between the X10 and the X10 Mini, which was later confirmed by Sony Ericsson after they announced that the handset would be named as the XPERIA X8. Despite the new name, SE has yet to announce any further details on the specs of this Android smart phone.

Just recently, there was also news of an upcoming Windows Phone 7 device from SE, the Julie. The phone is reported to have a touch screen display and a slide out QWERTY keyboard. While no further details have been released it is possible that this device and the rumored 5.5 inch Android might be one and the same. If it is, then many Android fans would be disappointed as the handset was shown in pictures as having a hinge that allowed it to be used as a very small netbook.

With the XPERIA X8 named, expect to see more official news from Sony Ericsson in the next few days.

New devices are always being reported on the news and with mobile phones; leaks are a very common occurrence. But there are occasions when some bits of rumors and leaks are simply too good to ignore and let pass. Here are a couple of such devices.

The first is the BlackBerry 9670 or the BlackBerry Clamshell. Seriously, we think that the Clamshell nickname has to go. But aside from that, this handset is pretty much good enough as it is. Of course, RIM has yet to give out an official spec list so no one really knows how big the screen is or that the CPU speed is like. But that aside, we already know that this smart phone will be packing the BlackBerry OS 6 and of course, a clamshell form factor.

The portrait keyboard translates well to this form, but some user might feel that the overall design is too feminine, even when the device is all black. It is mostly because the shape, but overall, the design is not bad. The slight elevated ridge below the keyboard might seem like it will get in the way of typing, but with no actual device to test, it is hard to determine if that will really be an issue.

Another impressive phone that we simply cannot get off our minds is the Sony Ericsson Android mini-tablet/phone/netbook. Now that might seem like a mouthful, but the new smart phone sports a big 5.5 inch touch screen, a slide out QWERTY keyboard and a hinge that lets you set it up as a small netbook.

So far, there no other specifications reported about this handset aside from the size of the touch screen display and the fact that it will be an Android OS. But even with just that, this smart phone just made it to the top of our wish lists.

Despite all the big fuss over the Apple iPhone, the smart phone industry is saturated with the Android operating system. Of course, the fact that the open source mobile platform is not tied down to just one manufacturer is key reason why the OS is so well distributed, and why it has gained so many users in so little time.

Now, another smart phone has just been added to the growing list of Android handsets: the Acer beTouch E130. We already know that Acer has been making Android devices –the Liquid series is basically their high end line for the Google OS. The beTouch E130 on the other hand has been designed for the mid to low range smart phone users. Since not everyone is willing to spend so much for a phone, it is great to have a good alternative that is available at a budget price.

Despite the slow 416MHz CPU, the E130 will still perform well (as seen with similar handsets running Android 1.6 Don’t), and the addition of the front facing QWERTY keyboard also gives the device an added charm as it makes typing messages and long emails a lot easier. Overall, this handset is a great phone to have for anyone looking for a cheap Android smart phone that does not lose out in functionality.

In other upcoming Android smart phone news, there have been some leaked images of three Sony Ericsson handsets. The Shakira, W150 TeaCake and a yet to be named 5 inch touch screen smart phone have been shown to running the Android OS. As one might expect, the device with a 5 inch display is a high end Android (it even comes with a slide out QWERTY keyboard and can tilt to be used as a mini netbook). The Shakira and TeaCake are reported to be based on the XPERIA series.

For those who have been following the Android phone market for some time a number of new devices have been seen to grace the shelves from time to time, ranging anywhere from huge power horses featuring up to 1GHz processors and massive computing potential to turn phones into virtual netbook computers to smaller devices looking to use the Android’s systems to offer some flexibility on minimal power. The XPERIA, Sony’s first venture into the Android phone market, was seen by most to fit into the first category of “big and powerful”, though for most people was simply too big and bulky to be of practical use. Enter the X10 Minis – Sony’s newest Android balance between size, power and flexibility to wow users.

Coming in at a fraction of the size of the original XPERIA released last year with the largest model – the Pro – measuring a mere 90×52x17 millimeters the new Minis are absolutely dwarfed in comparison. This small size has led many people to worry about the phone’s overall speeds as well as hardware has had to be scaled down to 600MHz, though this is more than enough to ensure speedy usage and blazing fast app speeds thanks to the overall reduced processing draw the compact design affords.

For most people looking at the “mini” tag on a touchscreen based device one of the major concerns they may have is on actual capabilities for messaging and data input, and rightfully so – anyone who can get their hands on the X10 Mini tends to feel that the screen is simply too small to accommodate most users with bulkier fingers. In order to compensate this the Mini Pro, in Sony Ericsson style, has an integral slide-out QWERTY keyboard that allows for direct typing into the phone and, even though it is still somewhat cramped compared to what some users may be used to, affords for much more comfortable tactile responses that even cynics find appealing.

Rounding off the Mini’s features is not only it’s processing power but its other functions as well. Coming equipped with a 5 megapixel camera with auto-focus and LED flash in addition to GPS for geotagging and the slew of connectivity options found on most smartphones these days means that you can not only keep in touch no matter where you are in the world but also share your information and exact location easily and effectively. The Mini and Pro also come equipped with a new feature of Sony’s, Timescape, that affords instantaneous notifications whenever an update is posted to your social media account of you receive a new e-mail or message, meaning fewer time is spent going online to manually check your messages and status updates. This is a great feature for social networkers and business professionals alike, though for some they may feel that the pop-up notifications are a big cumbersome on the Mini’s shrunken screen due to the fact that not much free space is available at any given time.

With the screen’s smaller size a big concern for developers the Sony Ericsson team has taken this into consideration as well and added in four customizable shortcuts that allow users to set their favorite programs or apps up to be run with a simply touch – thus cleaning up the home page and making room for updates. This small addition has helped sway those who have been on the edge in the past about the device over to believers and make them avidly await the upcoming release. Unfortunately as of yet no set date has been confirmed, however given Sony Ericsson’s relatively quick turnarounds after announcements these days consumers can most likely expect to see the Mini duo hitting the market sometime in the second quarter of this year.

There are plenty of new Android smart phones coming out this year; Sony Ericsson will be contributing three new devices to the lineup.

Heading the charge is the XPERIA X10. This smart phone was originally announced as the Rachel and is probably the first high-end smart phone to be announced at the end of 2009 (before the Bravo and the Nexus One anyway).  The device was the first Snapdragon powered Android smart phone to be confirmed and while it is confirmed to be using the old 1.6 Donut OS from the box, updates for the firmware are expected to be available by its launch this coming March.

The XPERIA X10 is an impressive device, but it is definitely not made for the general market. This is probably why Sony Ericsson previously announced that it would also launch the XPERIA Robyn –a smart phone based on the looks and features of the X10, but with lowered specs, a smaller size and a cheaper price tag. SE surprised the crowds at the Mobile World Congress by bringing out the X10 Mini –the Robyn fully completed.

The phone is small, sporting a 2.5 inch screen that makes it almost half the size of the original device. It will not be using the Timescape and Mediascape user interface on the X10; instead, it will employ the UX user interface that fully utilizes the whole display screen. Overall, it is an impressive low to mid range smart phone.

SE has also shown the X10 Mini Pro. A second version of the X10 Mini that comes with a slide out physical QWERTY keyboard that targets the heavy messaging market. Speaking of keyboards, the new Vivaz Pro is a keyboard version of the Vivaz too.

Get the rest of the news on the SE X10 Mini and Mini Pro at Stuff TV.

Looks like talks between Sony Ericsson and Vodafone UK have come to a nice little end with the announcement that the mobile network operator will be bringing the new Snapdragon Android phone into the UK. Just a while back, Vodafone removed the XPERIA X2 from its lineup for 2010 as they deemed the device unfit for their plan –the HTC HD2 was similarly removed from the lineup. Had the X2 been released earlier (December, as originally planned), then it would have benefited from some holiday sales.

Anyway, back to the X10. The phone was originally announced as the Rachel, and this Android phone is actually Sony Ericsson’s first mobile device that uses the Google operating system. The device was announced late last year and had a lot of rumors following it before Sony finally cleared up the actual specifications and even the name of the device sometime around October.

Vodafone is expected to start offering the device this coming April. Details as to whether this is an exclusive deal still remains to be cleared up as previous reports of other network operators offering the device have popped up. Aside from the X10, Sony Ericsson will also be releasing the Vivaz at the same time –though no operators have announced getting the Symbian smart phone.

Specs wise, this phone is a high end Android device, delivering specs that match even the Nexus One. The phone will be running on a 1GHz Snapdragon processor that will give it some much needed speed in loading applications. The screen is a large 4 inch capacitive touch screen giving users lots of navigation space. Speaking of navigation, the phone will be using the Android OS along with the Timescape and Mediascape user interface.

For the rest of the news regarding the XPERIA X10 and Vodafone UK, head over to Know Your Mobile.

Keeping in touch with friends and family members is an extremely important factor in today’s society, with more and more people joining social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. Latest figures revealed that Facebook has around 180 million accounts! Now whilst computers are the main access point for all of these websites, mobile phones have been constantly updated to enable use of such sites on the phone. What this gives you is access to your favorite sites wherever you are, be it on a long car journey or even whilst walking through a forest. The technology is being constantly developed, and Sony Ericsson’s next release, the Xperia X10 is made using all the latest technology to allow you to effortlessly connect to your favourite sites and to keep you in touch with the people you need to most.

The Timescape technology is designed to let you view all your conversations in one place. By looking at just one window you can see all your new text messages, email messages, Facebook messages and MySpace messages, along with any other program you set up to be able to use. This really allows you to save yourself the hassle of constantly switching between windows which takes up time and can often confuse you when trying to carry out many tasks.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 comes along with a built in FM radio, allowing you to listen to your favorite tunes whilst on the move. You can use the included wireless headset to listen to the tunes, especially useful when traveling on public transport or other areas where you cannot be too loud with your music. The Xperia X10 is due for release in the first quarter of 2010.

Sony Ericsson is taking the lead in the effort to drive the industry towards greener solutions. The GreenHeart phone series sports some of the most impressive standards for manufacturing a mobile phone in the most eco-friendly way possible. While a vast majority of devices have yet to be produced with these same standards, the slowly growing GreenHeart series is a testament that shows that it can be done.

New to the series are the Elm and Hazel 3G smart phones. These two unassuming and sleek-looking Sony gadgets may seem like your typical modern mobile phone, but checking the manufacturing specs shows how much green –innovation has been put into the devices.

First off, the phones are made of at least 50% recycled plastics. The actual percentage is actually higher but it seems that there is no accurate way to pinpoint the precise amount. This goes a long way in lowering the need for new plastics as the amount of raw material to be processed for just one phone has been reduced to half. Another interesting feature is that the paint and finish of the phones make use of water-borne solutions without chemicals; in fact, GreenHeart phones are made no harmful chemicals at all.

Anyway, both phones pack 3G HSDPA capabilities and 5 mega pixel cameras to boot. The snappers are loaded with auto focus and LED flash while the screens both have a resolution of 320 x 240 (the Elm has a 2.2 inch screen while the Hazel has a 2.6 inch display).

Of the two devices, the Hazel looks more stylish with its sleek slider-phone form while the Elm is more of a traditional looking candy bar device.

The only thing missing now is an early pre-Christmas launch date. Still, those of us who would like to get these phone do not have long to wait for, Sony has confirmed that both devices will launch next year with the Elm on Q1 2010 and the Hazel on Q2 with the rest of the new year’s Sony Ericsson deals.

Sony Ericsson has been having some major issues with its Aino series phones and the touch screens. The worst part is the news came just a few days after they found out about the same problems in their Satio devices as well. These phones have been taken off many of the shelves in the UK because of these problems.

A spokesman for Sony Ericsson was quoted saying “we are working on the problem as quickly as possible.” These devices were meant to revitalize and reshape Sony Ericsson’s catalogue. These setbacks are going to cause major problems for the company.

There are many features included with these touch screen phones once all the bugs get worked out. One such feature is the 8.1 megapixel camera all of which can be controlled right on the screen. You can also control the music and film features of the phone right on the screen as well.

For the PS3 fanatics, you will be happy to know that the phone has a remote play feature that allows you to interact with anything that is stored on your PS3.

The texting platform for this phone is a little off base as it is not compatible with texting slang. And being a touch screen phone it does not allow for the entire screen to actually be touch sensitive. The screen lock has a delay on it that can cause issues when placing the phone in your pocket, accidently starting an app or other tool on your phone without even realizing that you are doing it.

With all the features offered in this phone Sony Ericsson might want to think about going back to the drawing board and rethinking the way this phone works in order to get all the features in order.